Analyse This GLAMORGAN’S DAVID HARRISON HITS THE SILVER SCREEN Issue no.26 Where Best Are They Of Luck Now? NEW PCA CEO SURREY’S T20 TONY IRISH ALUMNI OF 2003 DURHAM | YORKSHIRE | SURREY liam plunkett ‘DID I SEE MYSELF AS A THREE-CLUB MAN? NOT IN A MILLION YEARS’ Plus… DAVID GOWER SIMON JONES MOEEN ALI Official beer of England Cricket Welcome Beyond the Boundaries is published by the Professional Cricketers’ Association, however the views expressed in contributed articles are not necessarily those of the PCA, its members, officers, employees or group companies. EDITOR ANDY AFFORD [email protected] EDITOR FOR PCA LUKE REYNOLDS [email protected] TI LEAD CONTRIBUTOR PETER CLARK [email protected] Looking After Cricket’s PCA CO-ORDINATOR ALI PROSSER Extended Family [email protected] At a time of great uncertainty, working together has ART DIRECTOR never been more important, writes Tony Irish SAM BOWLES [email protected] CONTRIBUTORS TOM BIRTWISTLE It is a privilege to be appointed Chief Executive of the seeking agreed solutions for the players relating to MARTIN CROPPER PCA, a players’ association, which is recognised their employment and to playing matters. NICK DENNING amongst other players associations for the welfare and The welfare of our current and former players is VICKY ELWICK STUART JONES support services provided to its members. critical at an unprecedented time like this and we will TOM JONES These provisions for our players have never been continue to support them through our dedicated ALEX MIGDA more important, with the game facing unprecedented member services team. We also continue to remind all of CHARLIE MULRAINE DAISY NEWMAN challenges due to the Coronavirus pandemic. our members to be guided by medical and government KENNETH SHENTON I could not have envisaged that my tenure in leading advice relating to their health and that of others. LYNSEY WILLIAMS the PCA would begin with a crisis of this magnitude Throughout this issue of your membership magazine MATT WOOD and one that could have significant repercussions for there is a running theme of the changing landscape for PHOTOGRAPHY the world game. The PCA has an important role to players and player contracts. A feature on Liam Plunkett, GETTY IMAGES play in navigating our players through this. It has reveals how he played in the inaugural Twenty20 PAUL CARROLL PORTRAITCOLLECTIVE never been more important than now for the players competition in 2003, and that he is one of three players to stand together to meet this challenge. from The Hundred draft who trail-blazed back then. DESIGN It is also a time for us to work with the game, and in Page 24 takes a behind the scenes look at the PCA’s particular with the ECB and the counties, to find Confidential Helpline, another vital resource provided solutions. At the forefront of this work must be the for all past and present players. need to ensure health and wellbeing, not only of the Whilst we are in unusual and uncertain times it is players but also that of others in the cricket important that we remind ourselves of the important community, and in our society. role that cricket, and other sports, play in the culture of At the time of writing, the ECB has just announced the nation. I firmly believe that cricket will bounce back that the season will not start until 28 May 2020 and when the current situation in which we all find ourselves PCA LEAD SPONSORS: that no cricket will be played before then. The PCA was passes. Let’s remain resolute and stand together. involved in the decision-making process and we support Enjoy the latest issue of Beyond the Boundaries. the decision as being in the best interests of everyone. Best wishes, The PCA will represent and support players through this period of uncertainty guided by health, wellbeing TONY IRISH and safe working place advice and considerations and PCA Chief Executive THEPCA.CO.UK / 3 Contents Opening Up On The Cover –– –– P09 AN OVER AT… P30 MEET… England legend David Gower The PCA’s new CEO, Tony Irish P11 WINTER WONDERS P38 CONTRACT KILLER How members’ off-season Liam Plunkett on how he’s placements played out remained relevant and working P15 GUEST COLUMNIST P42 SCREEN STAR Moeen Ali on new opportunities Former Glamorgan bowler around the world David Harrison on his role with England Lions 4 / THEPCA.CO.UK Contents P62 Naval gazing: Cricket’s oldest player passes P47 Northamptonshire coach John Sadler Features Education & Wellbeing –– –– P22 GAMEBREAKERS P45 MEET THE REP Surrey’s T20-winning Notts duo Jake Ball and Luke Fletcher side of 2003 P47 UNDER DEVELOPMENT P24 BEHIND THE SCENES Matt Wood writes about the players who’ve The work of the made things happen, on and off the field PCA’s Confidential Helpline P57 SIMON JONES P54 CREATING VALUE England star of 2005 Ashes New PCA Commercial Director, talks about life after cricket Rob Lynch P52 MAKING PLANS Expert financial advice from our friends at Smith and Williamson THEPCA.CO.UK / 5 Opening Up DM New Beginnings Your Chairman reacts to current world events and the impact on our sport In my notes for the last issue of Beyond the Boundaries, in the price of subscriptions to reflect the value of current I reflected on the incredible summer of cricket we had just player membership, which is valued at over £5,000. witnessed. Now, the picture is looking very different as cricket, The Players’ Committee also agreed to the creation and society in general, attempts to come to terms with – and of two new vice-chair positions – one male and one female – overcome – the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. to support myself in my role as Chairman, and I look Personal It is crucial that we come together at a time like this. forward to welcoming both once we have completed development We will be helped through strong leadership, led by our the recruitment process. outside of the new CEO, Tony Irish and supported by recently appointed The implementation of the new collective player game is such Commercial Director, Rob Lynch as well as Ian Thomas agreements also headlined discussions and, having spent four an important and Paul Garrett. months this winter gaining work experience in the PCA’s thing. Tony brings a wealth of experience from his 18 years London office, I’ve seen first-hand the hard work that the Daryl working within player associations. Previously the Chief Association’s staff are putting in to ensure players are Mitchell Executive of the South African Cricketers’ Association, he has supported better than ever before. been the Executive Chairman of FICA since 2014, a position As a full-time professional cricketer, it was a privilege to be he currently holds alongside being Vice President of the World able to spend three days per week working alongside the PCA’s Players Association. commercial, communications and member services teams. The I firmly believe he is the perfect appointment to drive knowledge I picked up there was invaluable and once again forward our organisation into an exciting new era of proved why personal development outside of the game is such cricket in this country. an important thing. The PCA’s member services are reliant on funding from a It has certainly allowed me to refocus ahead of the new thriving commercial programme, and we therefore welcome season. Although, at the time of writing, there is uncertainty Rob’s expertise which he has built up during his time as about when that may be, I am still hopeful that we will be able Commercial Director and then Chief Operating Officer of to enjoy a summer of international and domestic cricket. Middlesex CCC. Stay safe, look after yourself and those close to you, and Both Tony and Rob oversaw our latest AGM, which brought best of luck for the year ahead. together over 30 player representatives at the end of February. Amongst the key developments were the confirmation of the DARYL MITCHELL arrival of 40 new female PCA members, as well as the increase PCA Chairman THEPCA.CO.UK / 7 Opening Up PCA Social Isolation Guide The PCA has created a ‘Social Isolation Guide’ to educate members on ways to maintain physical and mental wellbeing during the Coronavirus outbreak. The guide includes a number of recommendations for mindfulness apps, online short courses and podcasts to help pass the time in social isolation. –– The full list and more helpful information can be found at thepca.co.uk FICA Update CORONAVIRUS There are more than 4,000 men’s and One of the big issues that we continue Wash your hands with soap and water more often for women’s professional cricketers in the to see around the world, and that affects 20 seconds. world. A significant number of these, players including those from England, is along with past players, are represented non-payment or late payment of players by the Federation of International who play in various domestic leagues. Cricketers’ Associations, and FICA’s Our global survey data suggests that member players’ associations (including around 34% of players have experienced the PCA), and the more than 80 staff these issues. 1 2 3 that work within them around the world. Palm to palm The back of In between FICA represents some of the most We are continuing to advocate for the the hands the fingers inspirational people on the planet. ICC to introduce proactive solutions to The cricket playing and player these issues including: employment landscapes are changing n Global payment guarantee rapidly as the game continues to shift mechanisms; further towards the domestic leagues n Global contract minimum landscape, and a more club-based standards; and 4 5 6 model.