England

John Childs

Born: August 15, 1951, Lipson, Plymouth, Devon

John Childs bio

John Henry Childs was a highly regarded cricket player from England, known for his exceptional left-arm spin bowling skills. Born on July 24, 1951, in Essex, England, Childs began his cricket journey relatively late in life, but his talent and dedication quickly propelled him to the professional level.

Childs made his debut for the English national team in 1988 at the age of 36, making him the oldest debutant in 41 years. Despite his late introduction to first-class cricket, Childs’s remarkable abilities as a spinner earned him a spot in the prestigious team.

Before his international career, Childs was associated with Gloucestershire for ten seasons, but failed to make a lasting impression during his time there. Consequently, he was released from the team at the end of the 1984 season. Determined to prove himself, Childs took the initiative and sent out letters to 15 different counties, seeking an opportunity to continue his cricketing career. Fortunately for him, Essex decided to give him a chance in 1985.

In his first season with Essex, Childs had a somewhat underwhelming performance, taking five wickets at an average of 105. However, his hard work and unwavering commitment to improvement paid off. Instead of being released, as he anticipated, Childs was sent to Lord’s to work on refining his bowling action with the expert guidance of Fred Titmus and Don Wilson.

The following season, armed with a quicker approach to the crease and a flatter trajectory, Childs showcased his true potential. In 1986, his impressive performance resulted in 89 wickets at a stunning average of 15. His outstanding contribution played a pivotal role in Essex’s triumphant Championship win that year. Childs’s exceptional performance didn’t go unnoticed, as he was honored as one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year, solidifying his reputation as a top-notch cricketer.

His outstanding performances in domestic cricket earned Childs a call-up to the national team, where he represented England in two Test matches in 1988. Unfortunately for Childs, these matches coincided with a turbulent period for the English team, which was plagued by constant captaincy changes and a series of heavy defeats by the formidable West Indies. Despite a promising start, Childs’ international career was cut short when the winter tour to India was canceled, and he was subsequently not selected for further matches. However, his mention in the England XII squad at Headingley in 1992 showcased the immense respect he commanded among cricketing circles.

Undeterred by his limited international opportunities, Childs continued to excel in domestic cricket well into his forties. In 1992, at the age of 40, he exhibited exceptional form, taking an impressive 64 wickets as Essex once again clinched the Championship title.

Following his retirement from playing cricket, Childs transitioned to a coaching role at Chelmsford, contributing his vast knowledge and experience to nurture future cricketing talents. His dedication, perseverance, and exceptional skills made him a highly respected figure in the cricketing world.

John Henry Childs, with his late entry into professional cricket, carved out a remarkable journey marked by tenacity, self-improvement, and an unyielding passion for the sport.

John Childs career stats

Batting stats

Batting Matches Innings Nos Runs High score Ave BF SR 100s 50s 4s 6s Ct St
Tests 2 4 4 2 2* - 41 4.87 0 0 0 0 1 0
T20Is - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ODIs - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
FC 381 359 173 1690 43 9.08 - - 0 0 - - 116 0
List A 120 44 27 177 16* 10.41 - - 0 0 - - 22 0
T20s - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bowling stats

Bowling Matches Innings Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10w
Tests 2 3 516 183 3 1/13 2/92 61 2.12 172 0 0 0
T20Is - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ODIs - - - - - - - - - - - - -
FC 381 - 70667 30600 1028 9/56 - 29.76 2.59 68.7 - 52 8
List A 120 - 5387 3649 99 4/15 4/15 36.85 4.06 54.4 2 0 0
T20s - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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