Robert Croft

Robert Croft is a former England international cricket player and current cricket coach. Born on 25 May 1970 in Swansea, Wales, Croft is best known for his career as a right-handed batsman and right-arm off-break bowler. He played for Glamorgan County Cricket Club for the entirety of his professional career, from 1989 to 2012, and later served as the club's head coach.

Early Life and Career

Robert Croft was born and raised in Swansea, Wales. He developed a passion for cricket at a young age and played for his school and local club teams. His talent was recognized early on, and he was selected to play for the Glamorgan County Cricket Club in 1989.

Professional Career

Croft's professional career spanned over two decades, during which he played both domestic and international cricket. He made his debut for Glamorgan in 1989 and quickly established himself as a key player. His performances for Glamorgan earned him a call-up to the England cricket team in 1996.

During his international career, Croft played in 21 Test matches and 50 One Day Internationals (ODIs) for England. He was known for his aggressive batting style and effective off-spin bowling. His best bowling figures in Test cricket were 5 for 95 against South Africa in 1998.

After retiring from international cricket in 2001, Croft continued to play for Glamorgan until his retirement in 2012. He was awarded a benefit season by Glamorgan in 2003, and in 2004, he was awarded the Wisden Cricketer of the Year.

Coaching Career

Following his retirement, Croft transitioned into coaching. He was appointed as the head coach of Glamorgan in 2016, a position he held until 2019. Under his leadership, Glamorgan saw several successful seasons.

Legacy

Robert Croft is widely regarded as one of the finest cricketers to have played for Glamorgan and England. His contributions to the sport, both as a player and a coach, have left a lasting impact on cricket in Wales and beyond.

See Also

• List of England cricketers
• Cricket in Wales