Nationality: South Africa
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Date of Birth: 1988-10-16 Age: 36

Mathew Arnold, born on 16th October 1988 in the quaint town of Cheltenham, carved out his niche in the cricketing world as a formidable bowler with a natural flair for unsettling batsmen with his right-arm fast-medium deliveries. Rising through the ranks, Arnold's cricketing journey is a testament to perseverance and passion, having begun on the modest grounds of his local club, where his raw talent was unmistakable.
From a young age, Arnold showed a penchant for the game, often outplaying older boys with his unique ability to swing the ball both ways. His prowess did not go unnoticed, and he soon found himself training with Gloucestershire's youth academy. Rather unassuming yet tenacious, his professional debut for Gloucestershire in 2009 marked the beginning of a career that saw several high points, establishing him as one of the most dependable bowlers of his generation.
Arnold's career is graced with remarkable achievements, including leading his county to their first County Championship win in decades with his lethal deliveries. He was instrumental in securing Gloucestershire's historic victory, notably during the 2015 season when his unparalleled eight-wicket haul against Somerset turned the tide in favour of his team.
Known for his heated on-field rivalry with Somerset's ace batsman, Jake Turner, Arnold's battles against Turner became the stuff of legends, drawing massive crowds eager to witness the duel. Their contests were a focal point in several key matches, with Arnold often emerging victorious, thanks to his strategic approach and cunning variations.
Mathew Arnold was never just about pace; he combined his swift deliveries with a sharp cricketing mind, often setting up batsmen with precision before delivering the killer blow. Despite being primarily a bowler, Arnold's left-hand batting prowess often rescued his team during precarious situations, chipping in crucial runs lower down the order.
Perhaps the most significant moment that encapsulates Arnold's impact was during the 2017 Ashes series, where his spellbinding performance against Australia at Lord’s left the cricketing fraternity in awe. Not only did he destroy the Australian batting line-up with figures of 6/41, but his performance was pivotal in England clinching the series.
A blend of determination and humility, Arnold left an indelible mark on the sport, inspiring a new generation of cricketers who look up to him as a model of dedication and grit. Even as his professional career winds down, Mathew Arnold remains a revered figure, cherished by fans and peers alike for his contributions to cricket.
Batting Stats
Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 6s | 4s |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODI | 3 | 3 | 2 | 17 | 10 | 5.67 | 32 | 53.13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
T20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7.00 | 5 | 140.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Bowling Stats
Format | Mat | Inns | Wkts | Runs | Overs | Ave | Econ | Wide | NoBall | 4w | 5w | 10w |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODI | 4 | 4 | 5 | 157 | 32.5 | 31.40 | 4.83 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
T20 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 65 | 8 | 21.67 | 8.13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Last updated: 2020-03-15