Matthew Thomas Coles, hailing from England, is a powerfully-built cricket player known for his all-round abilities on the field. Throughout his career, Coles has had his fair share of controversies and setbacks, but he continues to strive for success and prove his worth.
Coles’ journey in professional cricket began when he was selected to represent England Lions on their tour of Australia in 2013. Prior to that, he had shown promising progress, having scored his maiden century in the Championship against Yorkshire at Headingley. Alongside his batting prowess, Coles also displayed his bowling skills by taking 52 wickets at an impressive average of 22.03.
However, his time with the England Lions turned sour due to disciplinary issues, resulting in him being sent home along with his teammate Ben Stokes. While Stokes went on to achieve great success, including a maiden Test hundred, Coles struggled to find his footing once again.
Initially returning to his home county of Kent, Coles retained high hopes of playing for England. Refusing to sign a new contract with Kent, he went on loan to Hampshire towards the end of the 2013 season. Coles made an immediate impact, taking 21 wickets in just five matches, including a career-best 10 for 154 against Essex. His exceptional performances earned him a three-year contract with Hampshire, giving him renewed hope of achieving his international ambitions.
In the following year, Coles played a pivotal role in helping Hampshire gain promotion to Division One. He took 41 wickets at an average of 28.41, showcasing his effectiveness as a bowler. Despite his success, Coles found it challenging to settle away from his hometown of Maidstone. Yearning for another opportunity in Division One and a chance to attract the England selectors once more, he returned to Kent, where he felt his friendship with club captain Rob Key would have a positive influence on him.
Coles thrived during his second stint with Kent, taking 67 wickets at an average of 23.49 in Division Two. He also displayed his explosive batting skills during the Royal London Cup quarter-final against Surrey, where he scored his first List A century in just 43 balls. Although the team fell short of victory, Coles’ remarkable innings left an indelible mark.
However, as Kent captain Rob Key retired, Coles’ career once again faced challenges. His behavior during a Championship match in Cardiff led to his exclusion from the team for a month and further concerns about his fitness and drinking habits. While these setbacks did not deter him, they highlighted the need for personal growth and improvement.
Essex, the reigning champions, took a chance on Coles, signing him ahead of the 2018 season. Determined to push himself to reach his full potential, Coles left Kent for the second time. Despite his aspirations, his performances during his farewell season with Kent were modest, and there was still work to be done to solidify his place in the team.
Coles’ first season with Essex did not go according to plan, proving to be a non-event. Nonetheless, his journey in cricket is far from over. With his natural talent and a strong desire to succeed, Coles continues to work on refining his skills and making an impact on the cricketing world.
While faced with controversies and setbacks throughout his career, Matthew Thomas Coles remains an ambitious and resilient cricket player. As he continues to push himself to be the best he can be, his ultimate goal of representing England at the highest level remains within his reach.
