Matthew Maynard

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Matthew Peter Maynard England (Eng)

Batting style	Right-handed batsman (RHB)
Bowling type	Right-arm Medium (RM)
	Tests	ODIs
Matches	4	14
Runs scored	87	156
Batting average	10.87	14.18
100s/50s	0/0	0/0
Top score	35	41
Overs bowled	0	0
Wickets	0	0
Bowling average	N/A	N/A
5 wickets in innings	N/A	N/A
10 wickets in match	N/A	N/A
Best bowling	N/A	N/A
Catches/stumpings	3/0	44/0
As of August 22, 2005 Source: Cricinfo.com

Matthew Peter Maynard (born March 21, 1966, Oldham, Lancashire) was a skilled batsman and, later in his career, wicketkeeper famed for his aggressive and dashing strokeplay. His sparkling first-class career with Glamorgan, which saw him achieve a batting average of 42.53, take 372 catches and make 7 stumpings with the gloves, earned him several caps for England but he was never able to translate his county form into Test level. He was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1998.

Although born in Lancashire, Maynard was bought up on the island of Anglesey in north Wales where he first joined Glamorgan. His career started in fine fashion when he hit a century on is debut in 1985, hitting three consecutive sixes to reach the 100 and he became the youngest-ever player to score 1000 runs for the country in 1986. The 54 centuries he scored for Glamorgan during his playing career is also a record - the most any player has scored for the club. These displays of skill did not go unnoticed by the England selectors and he earned a call-up against the West Indies at The Oval in 1988. He was picked again in 1989 but then ran foul of the cricketing authorities by agreeing to go with Mike Gatting on the controversial rebel tour of South Africa when that country had been banned from international sport because of its policy of apartheid. He later justified his decision by saying that he was desperate for a taste of international cricket having just been dropped from the England team. Nevertheless, his conduct lead to a three-year Test ban, but he was eventually granted a recall for The Ashes series in 1993 after he'd hit a century for Glamorgan against the Australians but he failed to make much of an impact with the bat.

Back in domestic cricket, Maynard captained Glamorgan for five seasons between 1995 and 2000. His achievement as captain included leading them to victory in the County Championship in 1997 and their first appearance since 1977 in a cup final at Lord's in 2000. That same year he earned one final recall to the England team but only managed scores of 3 and 0 and it proved to be his last international appearance as a player.

In September 2004 he was appointed as assistant coach to the England cricket team and announced his retirement as a player shortly after, feeling he no longer enjoyed batting. In his short spell as an international coach he has already caused controversy. His appointement was criticised by former England captain Mike Atherton who felt that the job should not have gone to someone who'd been on the rebel tour of South Africa. His attitude came under fire from former coach Keith Fletcher who accused him of being too fond of drinking and partying to be a role model for young international cricketers. He hit back at Fletcher, criticising his management skills. Maynard continues to coach the England side and recently drafted in professional lyricists to help him compose an England team song.

[edit] Trivia

Maynard was mentioned in the Manic Street Preachers b-side "Mr. Carbohydrate" with the lyric, "Have you heard of Matthew Maynard/He's my favourite cricketer/I would rather watch him play than pick up my guitar."