Michael John Lumb, an English cricketer known for his explosive batting and destructive strokeplay, was born on February 12, 1969, in Johannesburg, South Africa. His father, Richard Lumb, was a prolific opener for Yorkshire, which influenced his cricketing journey.
Lumb began his cricketing career in South Africa, playing for the junior teams in Transvaal. However, he returned to his roots and made his county debut for Yorkshire in 2000. In his debut match against the touring Zimbabweans, Lumb showcased his hard-hitting abilities by scoring an unbeaten 66. Despite a knee injury in 2001, he managed to contribute to Yorkshire’s county championship victory, recording his maiden first-class century against Leicestershire. Remarkably, this achievement made him part of the fourth father and son duo to score centuries for Yorkshire.
In 2002, Lumb became a regular member of Yorkshire’s Championship and limited-overs sides. His consistent performances in 2003, which included close to a thousand runs at an average of over 40, earned him a place in the ECB National Academy squad. However, he failed to live up to Yorkshire’s expectations and was dropped during the 2005 season.
Determined to revive his career, Lumb joined Hampshire in 2007. His decision proved to be a turning point as he flourished in the shortest format of the game. In 2009, Lumb played a pivotal role in Hampshire’s triumph in the Friends Provident Trophy, amassing 442 runs in 11 games. His unbeaten 124 from just 69 balls against Essex in the final showcased his ability to dismantle bowling attacks. Impressed by his performances, the Rajasthan Royals signed him for the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a contract worth $50,000.
Lumb’s exceptional form continued when he represented the England Lions and guided them to victory against the senior team in a warm-up match. As a result, he earned a spot in England’s Twenty20 squad for the 2010 World Twenty20 in the Caribbean. Although he didn’t score big individually, his brisk starts provided the team with momentum, leading England to their historic first-ever victory in a global limited-overs event.
Throughout his career, Lumb faced several setbacks due to injuries. However, in 2013, he returned with a bang, scoring more than 1,000 runs in the Championship for Nottinghamshire. Despite injuries, Lumb’s T20 skills earned him a spot in England’s squad for the World T20 in Bangladesh.
Notably, Lumb, along with Riki Wessels, set a new record for the highest partnership in a List A game in England in 2016. They amassed an incredible 342 runs in 39.2 overs for Nottinghamshire against Northants, surpassing the previous record set by Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly. Lumb’s remarkable performance included scoring 184 runs. Additionally, he holds the distinction of hitting one of the fastest 50s in Notts’ history, achieved in just 17 balls against Leicestershire in a T20 match.
Lumb’s final season came in 2017, where Nottinghamshire achieved promotion in the Championship and grabbed both limited-overs trophies. Despite playing a part in Notts’ victory in the Royal London Cup final against Surrey, Lumb retired due to an ankle injury later that month.
Michael John Lumb’s contribution to English cricket, particularly in the Twenty20 format, is commendable. His explosive batting style, combined with his ability to provide aggressive starts, made him a valuable player. Lumb’s talent and success will be remembered in England’s cricketing history.
