Ten well-known cricketers who are living a shabby post-retirement life 

Recently, a facebook user Ganesh Birle  of India was visiting Sydney. He found that former Pakistan off-spinner Arshad Khan drives Uber taxi in Sydney to live his life. The world was  surprised by this news. It is hard to believe  that one former international cricketer is driving a Taxi in Sydney like other immigrants from Pakistan and India. This is the worst aspect of playing cricket, not everybody can become a star. So, Arshad has no other way to live his life and family, his country forgets him.

But, there are many Arshads in cricket who are living shabby post-retirement life. Here are 10 well-known cricketers who served their country for a long time, but after their retirement has to face a life that they never met. Unlike, Indian cricketer, who has hefty income from playing the game as well as from the endorsement, players in countries like New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Australia, England are living a life their other many poverty ridden fans.

10. Henry Olonga, Zimbabwe

He is the Zimbabwe’s first black cricketer in the mid-90s and he soon became the leader of the Zimbabwe’s bowling attack. Olonga’s moment came in the 2003 World Cup when he and Andy Flower wore a black armband to protest the ‘death of democracy’ in Zimbabwe during the match against Sri Lankan in East London. Their country was going  through a political turmoil, Flower and Olonga announced  the retirement as they received death threats. They migrated to England. Andy Flower has become a famous Ashes-winning coach while Olonga is still struggling to be a singer in England. Some of his albums are Our Zimbabwe and pop album “Aurelia.”

9. Brett Schultz, South Africa

Brett Schultz was a South African fast bowler who formed a fearsome partnership with Allan Donald. South Africa after the abolishment of apartheid era back in the international scene. Schultz was instrumental in South Africa’s maiden Test series win over Sri Lanka in which he took 20 wickets. However, rampant injuries forced him to quit the game and pursue a career in finance. He is currently one of the business partners in a South African firm called Econorisk.

8. Brayan Strang, Zimbabwe

He  was one of the useful opening bowler for for Zimbabwe in the mid-90s. However, the political turmoil resulted in his time away from cricket. He was frustrated, he had a failed attempt at suicide. He came to India for medication. Yoga helped him to back to normal life, he is now traveling across the world teaching the values of yoga.

7. Arthur Mailey, Australia

He was a very good leg break bowler for Australia. He picked up 99 wickets in 21 Tests. He has 36 Ashes wickets in 1920-21 Ashes series. After the retirement he became a labourer, however continued working as a journalist writing on cricket and drawing cartoons of contemporary cricketers Once he was dubbed as ‘the man who bowled like millionaire’ Maily went to set up a butcher’s shop in the suburb of Sydney.

6. Eddo Brandes, Zimbabwe

Eddo Brandes, the first bowler from Zimbabwe is known as  a chicken farmer from Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe cricket used to have professionals and amateurs in the team. Whenever, Brandes’ name appeared the chicken farmer so often appeared in brackets after his name. He played 10 Tests and 59 ODI. The chicken farmer turned cricketer now runs a tomato farm on the Sunshine Coast for a living.

5. Nathan Astle, New Zealand

He was one of the best batsmen in New Zealand before the start of the new millennium. His consistency with the bat helped New Zealand to play Tests and ODIs aggressively. He holds the record for the fastest double century in Test cricket. Since the retirement he has tried another sports and he is successful. He has become third  in the Sprint Car Championship.

4. Ewen Chatfield, New Zealand

Chatfield was Sir Richard Hadlee’s bowling partner during the New Zealand’s golden era in the 1980’s. Hadlee sued to slice through the opposition batsmen  while he ensured that the batsmen did not get runs easily. In 43 Tests, Chatfield had taken 123 wickets and he also survived a death scare when a deadly bouncer from Peter Lever hit him on the head. He collapsed and had fractured his skill, but he recovered. He has two failed stints at coaching, finally he decided his hand in lawn mowing, worked at a dairy farm, a courier and a salesman in a chip shop. Eventually, he settled down and is now a driver for Corporate Cabs in Wellington.

3 Chris Harris, New Zealand

Chris Harris is the prime all-rounder of New Zealand and moulded a aggressive brand of cricket in the 90s. He was aggressive, cunning and deceptive. But the all-rounder has become a medical representative  for an Australian company Orthotech, a distributor of orthopedic devices for hips and knees, spinal equipment, pedicle screws and cages for spinal fusion to orthopedic neurosurgeons.

2. Chris Old, England

Chris Old, the 1981 Ashes hero, is famously said to have earned less than 3000 euros for his heroic feat. He was ridden with poverty after retirement. He was known as ‘Chilly’ as his name appeared as ‘C.Old on the scoreboard, now runs a beachside fish and chip shop in Cornwall. However, he admits that he still gets thrilled when people recognise him,  “Some [people] do recognise me – and it’s pleasing when they do because I’m still very proud of my cricket career. It’s generally older people because it’s over 30 years ago since I played in Test matches for England.

1.Chris Cairns, New Zealand

One of the greatest allrounders in the 1990s, New Zealand’s Chris Cairns dazzled the world with bat and ball. He retired from cricket in 2006 due to a chronic knee injury, but, since then life has been tough for Cairns. He has lost a legal battle for liable case with tainted IPL Chairman  Lalit Modi and also found guilty in a match-fixing case. He is now living a gruelling life, he was seen working in bus shelters and driving trucks for the Auckland Municipal Council as well as working in a bar. Cairns’ situation is a worst among all former cricketers of his generation, he is still fighting to feed his family.

His former teammate Dion Nash said, “He’s trying really hard and supporting his family the best way he can. He’s not moping around, he’s showing guts and doing the hard work by cleaning bus shelters. All I can do is support him, but as a friend it is really hard to watch his name being dragged through the mud with no conclusion in sight. He’s a champion guy and he will come through this stronger.”