Christmas presents unique challenges for Test cricketers. No one player has felt this truth more than our current reality over the years. After spending eight challenging years traveling the world in pursuit of cricketing excellence, the player found himself reflecting on the complexities of balancing family and sport during the holiday season. This year, he had the unusual experience of coming back to competitive play just after Christmas.
From March 2010 to November 2017, this remarkable cricketer lived a reality in which past and present, future and tradition frequently intertwined. Incessantly pursuing the sun from one time zone to the next, he forgot what day it was, what month it was, or even what season it was. His dogged pursuit would be interrupted when he sustained a stress fracture in the ball of his foot. This injury kept him out of action for almost four months. The injury would prove to be one of his greatest tests and a big blow at the time. It also afforded him an unexpected lens through which to view what coming back to play really means.
As yuletide rolled around this year, the player was so excited he could hardly speak. He was over the moon to be found healthy enough to be included in his country’s roster in Durban. We were so surprised, it felt like a wonderful surprise present! Even more daunting, their team would be playing a Test match barely a day after Christmas. The prospect of getting back out there playing competitive cricket again was something that only gave him the greatest joy and inspiration.
His mum and sister temporarily relocated overseas to have a front-row seat as he ran out to represent England. They contributed to the spirit of this joyful, meaningful time. The unexpected show of support was especially warming, given that he’d missed three Christmases at home during his eight-year odyssey. Each Christmas tour was a little different. It was these moments that continued to help him grow as a player and person.
Looking back at the Christmases he’s spent on the road, he remembered his favorite one, a 2015 tour in South Africa. That year is etched in my memory. It was an incredible opening contest in an amazing series against South Africa on Boxing Day. More special was the time spent with teammates, who created a family atmosphere that was evident when the men came together for Christmas lunch, sharing stories and jokes. It was a moment that brought home to him the real power of these connections built by shared experience — even across oceans, and in the most unexpected of places.
This year, Alastair Cook made news when he declared he would play on Christmas Day. He still felt that wonderful bubble of validation to come over him. Only the captain’s nod could endorse his fitness with authority. It recognized his diligence and commitment to excellence. On the day after Christmas, he found himself contemplating strategies for bowling against formidable opponents like Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers.
Juggling the demands of being a dad, husband, global cricketer, and embodiment of Father Christmas meant discipline and dedication. As you can imagine, each role required a lot of time and attention, particularly during the holiday season. As he prepared for the upcoming match, he acknowledged the importance of being present for his family while committing to his passion for cricket.
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