Martin Bicknell, English cricketer

Martin Paul Bicknell: A Storied Career in English Cricket

Martin Paul Bicknell, born on 14 January 1969 in Guildford, Surrey, is a revered former English cricketer primarily known for his extensive and impactful career as a medium-fast swing and seam bowler. A true stalwart of Surrey County Cricket Club, Bicknell's career was marked by extraordinary consistency, remarkable achievements in county cricket, and a unique, albeit brief, presence on the international Test stage.

A Record-Breaking Test Match Gap

Bicknell's international Test career, though limited to just four matches, is historically significant for an unusual reason. He made his Test debut during the highly anticipated 1993 Ashes series against Australia, playing two matches. In a truly astonishing turn of events, his next two Test appearances came a full decade later, against South Africa in 2003. This remarkable interval meant that England had played an unprecedented 114 Test matches between his appearances, setting a record for the longest gap between Test matches for an England player. This unique statistic often underscores the widely held belief among cricket enthusiasts and pundits that Bicknell was incredibly unlucky to be consistently overlooked for Test selection, especially in home matches, despite his undeniable and prolific wicket-taking prowess in the domestic county circuit.

County Cricket Dominance: A Surrey Legend

As a medium-fast bowler, Martin Bicknell possessed exceptional skill in both swing and seam bowling, making him a formidable opponent on various pitches. His ability to move the ball both ways was a key factor in his sustained success. A testament to his longevity, skill, and dedication, he reached the prestigious milestone of one thousand first-class wickets for his beloved county, Surrey, in 2005. This achievement was preceded by reaching the overall milestone of one thousand first-class wickets across all matches in 2004, solidifying his status as one of the most prolific bowlers of his generation in English domestic cricket. His career was synonymous with Surrey's success, particularly during their dominant periods.

Exceptional Bowling Feats

Bicknell's career is dotted with numerous outstanding bowling performances. In 2000, he delivered an awe-inspiring performance against Leicestershire at Guildford, recording match figures of 16 wickets for 119 runs. These figures stand as the second-best match returns ever recorded for Surrey County Cricket Club, highlighting an extraordinary display of bowling mastery. Within that same match, his second innings figures were an incredible 9 wickets for just 47 runs, showcasing his ability to dismantle an opposition batting lineup almost single-handedly. His personal best innings figures, an equally impressive 9 wickets for 45 runs, were achieved much earlier in his career, in 1988 against Cambridge University at The Oval, demonstrating his potential from a young age.

Beyond Bowling: A Capable Batsman and Cricketing Family

While primarily known for his bowling, Martin Bicknell also developed into an increasingly valuable tail-end batsman, often pushing towards all-rounder status. His batting credentials include three first-class centuries and a respectable first-class batting average of 24.87, a significant contribution for a bowler. This dual capability made him an even more integral part of the Surrey side.

Cricket runs in the Bicknell family; his brother, Darren Bicknell, was also a highly regarded county batsman, who notably played for Surrey before concluding his professional career with Nottinghamshire, further cementing the family's legacy in English cricket.

Personal Life and Post-Playing Career

Martin Bicknell resides in Churt, Farnham, with his wife Sarah. They have four children: Ellie, Charlotte, Mia-May, and Millie-Coco. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the sport, Bicknell was deservedly named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2001, one of cricket's most prestigious individual accolades, awarded for exceptional performance in the preceding season.

Having made his first-class debut in 1986, Bicknell initially planned to retire at the end of the 2006 season. However, a series of persistent "niggling" injuries unfortunately compelled him to announce an earlier retirement from first-class cricket on 9 August 2006. Following his retirement from the professional game, Bicknell transitioned seamlessly into an educational role, taking up a highly respected post at Charterhouse School as the Master in Charge of Cricket, where he continues to impart his extensive cricketing knowledge and passion to the next generation. His autobiography, titled "Bickers." (reflecting his popular nickname), was published in 2008, offering further insights into his distinguished career and life.

Frequently Asked Questions about Martin Paul Bicknell

What is Martin Bicknell primarily known for in cricket?

Martin Bicknell is primarily known as a highly effective medium-fast swing and seam bowler for Surrey County Cricket Club, where he took over 1,000 first-class wickets. He is also notable for holding the record for the longest gap between Test appearances for an England player.

How many Test matches did Martin Bicknell play for England?

Martin Bicknell played in four Test matches for England: two in the 1993 Ashes series and two against South Africa in 2003.

What was the significance of his 2003 Test appearances?

His 2003 Test appearances against South Africa came ten years after his first two in 1993, marking a record gap of 114 Test matches played by England between his international appearances. This reflected the widespread view that he was consistently overlooked despite his strong county form.

What are some of Martin Bicknell's most impressive bowling statistics?

He achieved match figures of 16-119 for Surrey against Leicestershire in 2000, which are the second-best match figures ever recorded for the county. His best innings figures were 9-45 against Cambridge University in 1988.

Was Martin Bicknell also a good batsman?

Yes, for a bowler, Martin Bicknell was an increasingly useful tail-end batsman, scoring three first-class centuries and maintaining an average of 24.87, bordering on all-rounder status.

When did Martin Bicknell retire from first-class cricket and what did he do next?

Martin Bicknell retired from first-class cricket on 9 August 2006, earlier than planned due to persistent injuries. He then took up a post as the Master in Charge of Cricket at Charterhouse School.

Has Martin Bicknell received any major individual awards in cricket?

Yes, Martin Bicknell was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2001, a prestigious accolade recognizing his outstanding performances.