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O O L L GLOBAL ALEC JAMES STEWART

HALLof FAME

for being a great ambassador for a great game on the field and off it, and for committing to improving lives through cricket by raising funds and contributing to and championing the cause of children in need.

SURREY’S Gooch’s record of 118 matches. Despite calls for a younger wick‑ radiant SUN etkeeper to take his place, Stewart continued to give his all for England until he called it a day from all forms In the pantheon of -keeper of the game after England’s drawn batsmen, Alec Stewart is one of series with South Africa in 2003. the greats of all time. Carrying Fittingly, his final game was at The the legacy of Michael James Oval in which he scored 38, but more Stewart was always a tough importantly to a man like Stewart, task. This pressure of expec‑ England won. His love of the foot‑ tation coupled with his talent ball manager-style sound bite has made him one of England’s earned him the nickname Gaffer. leading wicket-keeper bats‑ Other than cricket administration men in both the Test and One- Alec gives considerable time and day formats of the game. With energy to The Professional Cricket‑ more than 300 international ap‑ ers’ Association (PCA) as an ambas‑ pearances for the national team, sador. Few careers carry so much over 13,000 runs – he has been a uncertainty as that of a professional great source of inspiration and icon cricketer but thanks to the PCA Be‑ for all those budding wicket-keeper nevolent Fund, past and present batsmen all around the cricket play‑ players have a vital support network ing nations. He is England’s most which helps them to prepare for capped Test cricketer of all time and readjust in the world beyond – and after retiring from cricket in cricket. 2003, Stewart served as a Director The Benevolent Fund, which is gen‑ of Arundel Promotions, catering to against the quicks, cover-driving Stewart, better standing back than erously supported by Royal London, player management before joining with a neat flourish and pulling with standing up, eventually became the helps former and current cricketers Surrey as a part consultant. A leg‑ panache - most memorably when regular No. 1. He took over the Eng‑ and their immediate family mem‑ end of Surrey County Cricket Club he thundered two centuries dur‑ land captaincy from Mike Atherton bers in times of hardship and up‑ and now most astutely handling the ing England’s storming of fortress in 1998 and promptly led the side to heaval by providing vital funding for responsibilities of the club’s Direc‑ Bridgetown in 1993-94. Stewart’s its first major series win for 12 years, mental health support, operations, tor of Cricket; strength as an opening batsman was against South Africa. helping those who are having dif‑ As it is famously said, when Stew‑ compromised by the selectors’ de‑ Against India at Lord’s in 2002, ficulty adjusting to life after cricket art was in full flow, there were few sire for balance: he and Jack Russell he crowned his achievements by find an alternative career and help‑ who could live with him. Relying swapped the wicketkeeping gloves becoming England’s most-capped ing current players with professional on touch, he was in his element regularly throughout the 1990s, but Test cricketer, overtaking Graham support and expert advice.

POWER BRANDS GLOBAL: life