For this month’s guest column, former England batter and ICC Match Referee Chris Broad tells us what his life in cricket has taught him about fortune and having the confidence to seize an opportunity.
Looking back on my 16 years of playing First-Class cricket, and the decades of administrative work that followed, I find myself returning to the understanding that luck is a thing that’s followed me around in my life and my career. I wasn’t the most talented player in the world, but I had lucky breaks. Going to Australia in 1986/87 was a prime example of one of those breaks; I found myself playing on pitches that suited me against bowlers that suited me, and I got a load of runs. That tour gave me a pedestal, but from there, my luck really continued and I always tried to make the best out of what I had.
I initially played for Gloucestershire before moving to Trent Bridge and Nottinghamshire, largely because I’ve always enjoyed challenges in my life.
It was brilliant playing with the likes of Clive Rice, Richard Hadlee and Derek Randall, but professional sport can be an unforgiving business. After eight years at Notts, I wasn’t offered another contract, which is something that happens to a lot of professional cricketers. When I retired from the game with my dodgy hips, I felt comfortable in the knowledge that, while I’d had lucky breaks, I’d made the absolute most of them. I had 16 years of playing First-Class cricket and I loved pretty much every moment of it.
”I don't know whether you actually learn that or whether it's inbuilt in you, but I've always held onto the philosophy that when one door closes, another door will open.
Chris BroadEngland & Nottinghamshire
Leaving the pitch behind when you retire is daunting, but I believed in my ability.
I don’t know whether you actually learn that or whether it’s inbuilt in you, but I’ve always held onto the philosophy that when one door closes, another door will open. Having the confidence to grab that opportunity when it comes has been so important for me. I was fortunate that the phone kept ringing, first for television and radio, and then for an entirely new challenge as a Match Referee. Even though I knew absolutely nothing about match refereeing at the time, the old Test and County Cricket Board (TCCB) called me and 18 months later, I was in the uniform at my first gig in New Zealand. I didn’t look back for 20 years.
Moving into that role meant crossing a distinct bridge. Having been a player and just another teammate in the dressing room, I had to transition and become a little bit aloof, needing to make objective decisions without thinking about personalities. It was a challenge, but it allowed me to stay right next to the sport I adore.
”In fact, my kids have often said to me, 'Dad, you’ve never worked a day in your life.' To be perfectly honest, they’re right, because I’ve just enjoyed every moment of it.
Chris BroadEngland & Nottinghamshire
I’ve been very fortunate for most of my life to have been involved in cricket.
In fact, my kids have often said to me, ‘Dad, you’ve never worked a day in your life.’ To be perfectly honest, they’re right, because I’ve just enjoyed every moment of it. Cricket has given me and my family a very fortunate and interesting life.
I recently attended the PCA’s Past Player Day and it was an absolute joy. Catching up with fiercely competitive peers like Winston Davis, or Ricky Elcock, who probably bowled me the quickest spell I ever faced, is incredibly special. We can have a chat about what happened 30 or 40 years ago and still be in that moment. I am endlessly grateful for the doors cricket has opened for me, and I am so proud that I was able to take my moments of luck and turn them into a life in this great game.
