PCA PRESS RELEASE

Michael Lumb, a T20 World Cup winner with England, had only known professional cricket for 17 years until a persistent ankle injury forced him to hang-up his boots in July 2017.

To see more articles. Click here

A destructive batsman, Lumb had represented England in ODIs and T20s as well as significant careers with Yorkshire, Hampshire and Nottinghamshire while also taking part in domestic T20 competitions around the globe.

The abruptness of his retirement meant that he did not have any real idea on what he wanted to do, and so turned to the PCA and the Transition Conference.

“Looking for life after cricket, and trying to plan, this is the right place to start,” said Lumb.

“It does open your eyes, at the end of the day it is only a game, but you never expect these things to happen to you.”

The former Nottinghamshire man has already had a chance in the commentary box at Sky Sports, a stint well received during the NatWest T20 Blast.

“I got a good opportunity to do some commentary, which I thoroughly enjoyed, so I had that after cricket for a little bit.”

The Transition Conference was the centrepiece of an awareness week on how professional cricketers transition into a second career. The inaugural two-day event was part of the PCA’s Personal Development and Welfare Programme and was attended by 14 players who have recently retired or those starting to plan for life after cricket.

Former players such as Paul Nixon and Stephen Peters shared their own experiences, and emphasised the importance of planning for the future, something that Lumb has not taken for granted.

“Just finishing the game, it came quite abruptly. With the injury itself, I obviously struggled for a long time, but I did not expect things to happen that soon.
It came to a stop when I did not want it to, so I was not prepared for that life after cricket. You always take it for granted, going through your career people always say ‘plan for your future, plan for your future’ and you kind of just laugh it off a bit. But, when the time comes, you look back and think you wish you had done something.”

MICHAEL LUMB

Lumb took the time to thank the PCA and the Personal Development Managers for the support they have provided, and will continue to provide if it is wanted.

“We are very lucky with the PCA to have so many options. They are almost like the heartbeat of our organisation, of the cricketers really. And, being a player that has finished now, I am massively grateful for everything they have done.”

For more information on the PCA Personal Development and Welfare Programme click here.