'I still believe I can play for England'
The Wisden interview with Matthew Maynard
23-Jun-2004
Matthew Maynard made his debut for Glamorgan back in 1985, and captained them from 1996 to 2000, winning the Championship title in 1997. He was recently awarded a testimonial season, after becoming Glamorgan's leading century-maker, with 53. He also played four Tests for England between 1988 and 1994, and was picked for 14 one-dayers, the last of them in the 2000 NatWest Series. Freddie Auld caught up with him at home on a rare day off:
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How did it feel to be awarded your testimonial with Glamorgan?
Very proud. You don't think about these sorts of things when you start your career, but it's nice to be noticed by the club. Milestones and records are there to be broken, and all those hundreds have taken a long time, but what's more important to me is that the last one against Leicestershire helped us to win the game.
Very proud. You don't think about these sorts of things when you start your career, but it's nice to be noticed by the club. Milestones and records are there to be broken, and all those hundreds have taken a long time, but what's more important to me is that the last one against Leicestershire helped us to win the game.
Are you still enjoying playing county cricket?
Very much so. I still get a buzz from playing and I like to keep myself in good shape. There's still a lot this club can do, and I want to continue being part of it. We've got some good young players, and we hope they'll be playing Tests here by 2008. It would be great if I can help the younger players come through around then.
Very much so. I still get a buzz from playing and I like to keep myself in good shape. There's still a lot this club can do, and I want to continue being part of it. We've got some good young players, and we hope they'll be playing Tests here by 2008. It would be great if I can help the younger players come through around then.
Has the standard of county cricket changed down the years?
It's definitely got better. I think having two overseas players has been excellent for the game as they bring a lot to a club, and two divisions has been good as well, even though I was originally sceptical about it. The change to four-day cricket has been good as well. The old three-day game tended to be a bit soft due to its nature, but now it's a better standard.
It's definitely got better. I think having two overseas players has been excellent for the game as they bring a lot to a club, and two divisions has been good as well, even though I was originally sceptical about it. The change to four-day cricket has been good as well. The old three-day game tended to be a bit soft due to its nature, but now it's a better standard.
Has the Championship become more professional?
It's definitely coming on in the right direction. The players' approach to training is much better than before, but there's still room for improvement. I think overseas coaches has helped as well. We had a taste of that with Duncan Fletcher when he was here for a bit, and he was excellent.
It's definitely coming on in the right direction. The players' approach to training is much better than before, but there's still room for improvement. I think overseas coaches has helped as well. We had a taste of that with Duncan Fletcher when he was here for a bit, and he was excellent.
Do you still feel you're just as good a batsman as when you started out?
Yeah, probably. I'm a much more adaptable player now. When I started, I just looked to give the ball a good lick, but now I aim to dictate the situation of a game.
Yeah, probably. I'm a much more adaptable player now. When I started, I just looked to give the ball a good lick, but now I aim to dictate the situation of a game.
Your four Tests with England were all spread out - do you feel you were given a fair crack by the selectors?
No, not really. It was pretty much the go then that if you weren't an immediate success, you were out, unless you were earmarked, like Hicky [Graeme Hick] and Ramps [Mark Ramprakash]. You had to succeed straight away, but I've got no regrets or hang-ups. It hurt at the time, but you have to get on with things.
No, not really. It was pretty much the go then that if you weren't an immediate success, you were out, unless you were earmarked, like Hicky [Graeme Hick] and Ramps [Mark Ramprakash]. You had to succeed straight away, but I've got no regrets or hang-ups. It hurt at the time, but you have to get on with things.
You went on the rebel tour of South Africa in 1989-90. Do you regret that in terms of your Test career?
No, not at all. I don't think not going would have extended my career, I had opportunities before and after the South Africa tour. It also helped me to secure my future financially. If there are opportunities to make money in sport, then you should take them, I've got no regrets, I'd do the same again now. It was a cracking tour, a bit of an eye-opener in terms of the townships and the demonstrations, but it was a hell of an experience.
No, not at all. I don't think not going would have extended my career, I had opportunities before and after the South Africa tour. It also helped me to secure my future financially. If there are opportunities to make money in sport, then you should take them, I've got no regrets, I'd do the same again now. It was a cracking tour, a bit of an eye-opener in terms of the townships and the demonstrations, but it was a hell of an experience.
You made a disappointing comeback in 1993 against Australia at Edgbaston - did the birth of your daughter that morning distract you?
I had a daughter and a duck before lunch! I was obviously keen to get back to see her, and I was allowed to go back to the hospital after play that day, but it didn't affect me. You have to switch off from your personal life to your professional life, and I've always been able to do that.
I had a daughter and a duck before lunch! I was obviously keen to get back to see her, and I was allowed to go back to the hospital after play that day, but it didn't affect me. You have to switch off from your personal life to your professional life, and I've always been able to do that.
'My only regret was that I didn't prove myself on the international stage'
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You made the tour of West Indies in 1993-94 and only played in the first Test - what are your memories of that trip?
My memories are bittersweet. I did OK in the one-dayers and in the first Test, but Ramps got 150 in a game against the President's XI, and he got the nod for the second and third games. It's a tough part of touring when you're not playing, but it was a good experience for me.
My memories are bittersweet. I did OK in the one-dayers and in the first Test, but Ramps got 150 in a game against the President's XI, and he got the nod for the second and third games. It's a tough part of touring when you're not playing, but it was a good experience for me.
Do you feel you had more to offer as a Test player and weren't given a fair chance?
My only regret was that I didn't prove myself on the international stage. I'm not blaming anyone else, that was down to me, but it was a great honour to play for England, and I'm pleased I did it. Some people take to Test cricket like a duck to water, like Andrew Strauss. The pace of the game is different to the county game, and you have to adapt quickly.
My only regret was that I didn't prove myself on the international stage. I'm not blaming anyone else, that was down to me, but it was a great honour to play for England, and I'm pleased I did it. Some people take to Test cricket like a duck to water, like Andrew Strauss. The pace of the game is different to the county game, and you have to adapt quickly.
Would you have liked to have played international cricket in today's era?
No, not really, I had my chance. It's just great to see the England side developing as they are. The fact that the players aren't worried if this will be their last game gives the team more consistency and continuity. If a player can just go and play it makes him more composed.
No, not really, I had my chance. It's just great to see the England side developing as they are. The fact that the players aren't worried if this will be their last game gives the team more consistency and continuity. If a player can just go and play it makes him more composed.
Were you surprised to be picked again for the 2000 NatWest Series?
Nasser [Hussain] broke his finger just before it started, and I had been playing some good stuff for Glamorgan and was in good nick. I had earlier got a call from David Graveney saying I was being considered, and Fletch had told me I was close to being selected. Actually, I was a bit disappointed not to be originally picked. But I got my chance in the end and my last knock for England was a duck at Lord's, while the week before I had been hitting the likes of Gloucestershire around for a hundred.
Nasser [Hussain] broke his finger just before it started, and I had been playing some good stuff for Glamorgan and was in good nick. I had earlier got a call from David Graveney saying I was being considered, and Fletch had told me I was close to being selected. Actually, I was a bit disappointed not to be originally picked. But I got my chance in the end and my last knock for England was a duck at Lord's, while the week before I had been hitting the likes of Gloucestershire around for a hundred.
Do you think your England days are definitely over now?
Yeah, I think so. I still believe I can play for England, though, and if there are 25 broken hands in the country then maybe I can step in. They should be looking for younger players than 38, even though I was included in the squad of 30 for the last World Cup.
Yeah, I think so. I still believe I can play for England, though, and if there are 25 broken hands in the country then maybe I can step in. They should be looking for younger players than 38, even though I was included in the squad of 30 for the last World Cup.
How highly do you rate the current England side?
I'm looking forward to watching them in the next Tests. They have some fine players, and they are a proper team now. They get enjoyment out of, and take pride in, each other's success - they're not at all selfish. They are all doing well, but Steve Harmison is fantastic. I thought when I first faced him he was a version of Courtney Walsh, with his pace and bounce, and now he has developed his lines he's even better.
I'm looking forward to watching them in the next Tests. They have some fine players, and they are a proper team now. They get enjoyment out of, and take pride in, each other's success - they're not at all selfish. They are all doing well, but Steve Harmison is fantastic. I thought when I first faced him he was a version of Courtney Walsh, with his pace and bounce, and now he has developed his lines he's even better.
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Do you think the game is on the up in the country?
The game is in good hands at the moment. I don't agree with the likes of Mike Atherton that it needs changing. I wish former players would talk it up rather than down the whole time. It's definitely going in the right direction, but we have to be a bit careful about the number of EU players creeping in. The one change I would like to make, though, is instead of the touring teams playing against under-strength county sides, we could have a North and South triangular competition with the tourists at the start of the season and then just before the NatWest Series. This way, the selectors could have seen players like Strauss earlier than they did.
The game is in good hands at the moment. I don't agree with the likes of Mike Atherton that it needs changing. I wish former players would talk it up rather than down the whole time. It's definitely going in the right direction, but we have to be a bit careful about the number of EU players creeping in. The one change I would like to make, though, is instead of the touring teams playing against under-strength county sides, we could have a North and South triangular competition with the tourists at the start of the season and then just before the NatWest Series. This way, the selectors could have seen players like Strauss earlier than they did.
What has been the best moment of your career so far?
Winning the Championship with Glamorgan in 1997, and making my debut for England. It was a great honour, but was a bit of a blur. I didn't receive any advice before it which was a shame and hence I don't remember it that well. I told Crofty [Robert Croft] when he was first picked to slow everything down and take everything in. No-one passed that information on to me, though. The team in 1988 against West Indies was in disarray, with our third captain of the summer. It didn't seem like a great camp at that stage. A lot of the players were selfish, just wanting to play the next game to pick up their money.
Winning the Championship with Glamorgan in 1997, and making my debut for England. It was a great honour, but was a bit of a blur. I didn't receive any advice before it which was a shame and hence I don't remember it that well. I told Crofty [Robert Croft] when he was first picked to slow everything down and take everything in. No-one passed that information on to me, though. The team in 1988 against West Indies was in disarray, with our third captain of the summer. It didn't seem like a great camp at that stage. A lot of the players were selfish, just wanting to play the next game to pick up their money.
What are your future aims?
I'm going to keep my options open. I've worked as an insurance broker for the past four years and am going to work for Glamorgan's marketing company this winter, so a career in marketing could be an option. I've thought about coaching as well, but to go straight from playing to coaching isn't me. I think you need a bit of time away from the game before you do that. I've got one year to go on my contract, and it's going well at the moment. When I have a bad year then I'll know it's time to finish. I don't want to hold back the process, but we'll just see how it goes.
I'm going to keep my options open. I've worked as an insurance broker for the past four years and am going to work for Glamorgan's marketing company this winter, so a career in marketing could be an option. I've thought about coaching as well, but to go straight from playing to coaching isn't me. I think you need a bit of time away from the game before you do that. I've got one year to go on my contract, and it's going well at the moment. When I have a bad year then I'll know it's time to finish. I don't want to hold back the process, but we'll just see how it goes.