Steven Finn during training on Christmas Day in 2010
‘Dropped on Christmas Day and redemption in Durban’
My most memorable Christmas while touring was in South Africa in 2015. The Boxing Day Test marked the start of the series and promised to be fiercely contested. South Africa still boasted a roster full of star players, and we had recently claimed the Ashes the previous summer. After spending several months sidelined due to a stress fracture in the ball of my foot, it felt like a gift when I demonstrated that I was fit enough to join the team in Durban. Unlike my Australia tour five years prior, I knew that if I was fit, I would be selected to play. This confidence stemmed from the time when England was led by coach Trevor Bayliss. I sensed that he truly had faith in me and allowed me to express myself fully as a bowler. Even though I had an inkling I would be in the lineup, it was still a delightful moment when the captain, Alastair Cook, confirmed it on Christmas Day. No tears fell in the restroom; rather, I enjoyed a tranquil Christmas by the seafront in Durban. It didn’t quite feel like Christmas due to the warmth, as I pondered how to bowl effectively to Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, and their teammates the next day. I was significantly more at ease, despite facing the daunting task of bowling against Dale Steyn in my unenviable role as nightwatchman, which could spoil anybody’s peaceful Christmas.
I was without family travelling alongside me, so I shared Christmas lunch with other teammates in similar situations, then slipped away to my room to unwind, hoping to watch us win the toss and bowl first on a tantalizing pitch. Now, that’s a true Christmas gift. We actually lost the toss, yet triumphed in the Test by 241 runs. Securing one of my favorite wickets in my career, I dismissed Faf Du Plessis on the fourth evening with a delivery that lifted as he fought valiantly. It felt like a sense of redemption for my past Christmas disappointments. Christmas while on tour truly becomes another Test week. I would often empathize with those players who had families trying to navigate this festive season. Balancing the roles of a father, a husband, an international cricketer, and Santa Claus must be quite challenging.
Having family present can certainly create a sense of balance, offering a much-needed escape during lengthy tours. However, explaining to a four-year-old why there is no snow and how Santa knows you won’t be home is a conversation I would leave to those players with children. As I settle into this holiday season and prepare to indulge in whatever feast is presented before me, I will be thinking of all the cricketers gearing up to play the following day. The nerves, thrill, and disappointments are inherent to being a sportsperson. It just so happens to be Christmas Day, too.
Published: 2025-12-24 21:47:00
source: www.bbc.com
