Q&A with former County Cricketer Martin Thursfield

Profile

• Born 14th December 1971
• Right Handed Batsman
• Right-arm medium pace
• Signed for Middlesex 1990
• 1991 Played a youth ODI for England
• 1992-1996 played for Hampshire
• 1997 played for Sussex
• Best Career figures 6-130 vs Middlesex 1994

I spoke to Martin Thursfield about his career in County Cricket, England’s chances at the 2019 Cricket World Cup and what life after cricket has entailed.

DH: You spent 7 years representing various Southern Counties, predominately as a bowler, who was the hardest batsman you came up against?

MT: That’s a tough one! There was a number of great batsman I came up against over the years. I found it particularly difficult when bowling against the likes of Stuart Law and Mohammad Azharuddin. Worcestershire always had a strong batting line-up when I played against them, the likes of Tom Moody and Graeme Hick were extremely difficult to bowl at and tough to get out.

DH: In 1991 you represented England in a youth ODI, what was the experience of representing your country like?

MT: It was a privilege to represent my country. I was lucky enough to be selected for the Youth tour of New Zealand in 1991 and I played in a warm up game in preparation for the ODI series. I was then picked for the 1st ODI which was being played in Hamilton. However as I was running in to bowl during my first over I felt my leg click and I couldn’t continue. I was carted off to hospital and told I had a stress fracture and had broken my leg. I was ruled out of the rest of the tour and didn’t play another international game.

DH: What would you say your proudest career moment is?

MT: I take great pride in the fact I got the legendary Brian Lara out in a game at Edgbaston whilst playing for Hampshire. However I’d say that my proudest career moment was making my first class debut for Middlesex against New Zealand. Playing for Middlesex allowed me to call Lord’s ‘The Home of Cricket’ my home ground which was an extreme privilege. Being able to walk through the famous long room and play in a stadium etched with history was a real honour. The pitch itself was like a carpet and made me look forward to every home game.

DH: How do you rate England’s chances in the 2019 CWC?

MT: I rate England’s chances highly as they are an extremely strong side. They have kept the same team for a number of years now so they have all jelled together and know each others game. My only worry is if they can handle the pressure of being tournament favourites, however I think the home crowd should give them an added boost and see them through the tournament.

DH: What has life after cricket entailed? What do you do now?

MT: I retired from professional cricket in 1997 and became a police officer in August 1998. Working in the police force was a career aspiration of mine from a young age however it took a back seat when my cricket career took off. Late on in my career I began to realise that I needed something after cricket which is when the idea of working for the police began to reemerge. As of 2019 I have been working for the police for 21 years.