The festive season brings a unique set of challenges for Test cricketers, especially those in the midst of a series. For Steven Finn, the Christmas period was a blur of emotions and experiences, ranging from the highs of playing in a Boxing Day Test to the lows of being dropped from the team.
The Test Cricketer's Christmas Conundrum
Imagine spending Christmas in the sun, far from home, while your friends and family are tucked away in the warmth of a British winter. This was Finn's reality for much of his career, as he navigated the manic schedule of international cricket. Over eight years, he spent three Christmases away, constantly chasing the sun and losing track of time.
The Lowest Point
One Christmas stands out as a low point in Finn's career. After a heavy loss in Perth, Australia, in 2010, he found himself vulnerable to being dropped from the team. And sure enough, as he was walking back from practice on Christmas Day, he saw the writing on the wall. Captain Andrew Strauss approached him with a serious face, asking to speak in the bathroom—a common tactic to deliver bad news privately. Finn knew his time was up, and the tears came quickly.
What made it even worse was that his partner, mum, and sister had traveled all the way to Melbourne to watch him play in the Boxing Day Test. Despite their presence, he didn't make the cut, and the disappointment was palpable.
Redemption in Durban
But here's where it gets controversial... Finn's best Christmas on tour was in South Africa, five years later. After a stress fracture kept him out for a few months, he felt like a Christmas miracle when he proved his fitness to join the squad in Durban. This time, he knew that if he was fit, he would play, and the captain's nod on Christmas Day confirmed it.
There were no tears in the bathroom this time; instead, he enjoyed a calm Christmas on the seafront. Despite the hot weather and the prospect of facing some of South Africa's best batsmen the next day, Finn felt content.
And his team delivered a Christmas present of their own, winning the Test by a significant margin. Finn even got one of his favorite wickets, a lifter to Faf Du Plessis, providing a sense of redemption for his previous Christmas disappointments.
The Balancing Act
Christmas on tour becomes just another Test week, and Finn empathizes with the players who have families to consider. Balancing the roles of father, husband, international cricketer, and Father Christmas must be a tough task. Having family around can provide a much-needed balance and escape during a long tour, but explaining the absence of snow and Santa's knowledge of their whereabouts is a challenge best left to the parents.
A Festive Reflection
As Finn settles down during this festive period, ready to indulge in the holiday feast, he thinks of the cricketers out there preparing for a game the next day. The nerves, excitement, and disappointments are all part of the sportsperson's journey, and Christmas Day is no exception.
So, what do you think? Is Christmas just another day for athletes, or does it add an extra layer of emotion to their already intense lives? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
