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Mark Ealham
Mark Ealham
Mark Ealham
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Mark Alan Ealham (born 27 August 1969) is a former English cricketer, who played Test and One Day International cricket. He played domestic cricket for Kent County Cricket Club and Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club as an all-rounder.

Key Information

He retired in September 2009, after 20 seasons in domestic cricket,[1] to take charge of cricket at King's School, Canterbury.[2] During his time at King's, he coached several Kent academy players including Ollie Robinson.

Domestic career

[edit]

Ealham was born in Willesborough in Kent and began his career with Kent County Cricket Club. His father, Alan Ealham, had spent his entire career with Kent. He made his first-class and list A cricket debuts for Kent in 1989.

Despite his promising Test debut, Ealham was always regarded as a limited-overs specialist. This belief is mainly due to his free-swinging batting style[citation needed] – during a Twenty20 Cup match in 2005 against Durham he scored 45 off 17 balls including 34 runs in a single over.

Ealham left Kent before the 2003 season and signed a three-year contract with Nottinghamshire, with whom he won the 2005 County Championship. Ealham took 56 wickets in 15 Championship matches that season, the most by a Nottinghamshire bowler and the fifth-most in Division One – at an average of 20.80, the fourth-lowest in Division One among bowlers with more than 20 wickets.

International career

[edit]

Ealham was first called into the England team for the start of India's tour of England in 1996. His one-day debut came on 23 May in the first one-day international. Although no result was possible due to rain, Ealham impressed as he reached 40 runs. He made his Test debut in the third Test in July. Ealham once again impressed, he scored 51 runs in the first innings and took second-innings bowling figures of 4/21, which he never surpassed at Test level.

His greatest performance as a player, however, came in January 2000 when England played Zimbabwe in the fifth match of a triangular tournament held in South Africa. Ealham took five wickets for only 15 runs. At the time this was the best bowling performance by an Englishman in a one-day international match ever. Even more remarkable is that all five wickets were LBWs. This is still a record in one-day international cricket.[3]

Ealham bowls for Nottinghamshire

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Mark Ealham

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from Grokipedia
Mark Alan Ealham (born 27 August 1969) is a former English cricketer, renowned as a right-handed who combined solid middle-order batting with right-arm medium-fast bowling. He represented in eight matches and 64 One Day Internationals (ODIs) between 1996 and 2001, establishing himself as a reliable one-day performer before a less prolific career. Born in Willesborough, , to former Kent cricketer , he debuted for his home county in 1989 and played there until 2002, earning his county cap in 1992. Ealham's international breakthrough came in 1996, with his ODI debut against India on 23 May and Test debut against India later that year, where he claimed 4 wickets for 21 runs in his first innings and scored 51 runs in the second. His standout ODI performance was a record 5/15 against on 30 January 2000—all bowled (LBW)—highlighting his accuracy and prowess. Despite these highlights, his Test opportunities were limited to eight matches, partly due to competition in the role, and he was dropped from the setup in 2001 after consistent one-day contributions from 1997 onward. Domestically, Ealham enjoyed a 20-year first-class career, amassing 11,349 runs at an average of 31.96 and taking 643 wickets at 27.93, primarily for (1989–2002) and (2004–2009). After leaving , he joined in 2004, where he played a pivotal role in their promotion to Division One in 2004—scoring nearly 900 Championship runs at an average of 48—and their 2005 title win, during which he took 56 first-class wickets, including a match-winning catch against his former county. Notable limited-overs feats included a rapid 91 off 35 balls in a 2004 T20 match against , helping secure the Sixes trophy, and 45 off 17 balls against Durham in 2005, featuring 34 runs in a single over. Ealham retired in September 2009 and transitioned into coaching, heading cricket at King's School, , while working part-time with .

Early life

Family background

Mark Ealham was born on 27 August 1969 in Willesborough, a suburb of Ashford in , . Growing up in this cricketing heartland, he was immersed in the sport from an early age, shaped by his family's deep connections to . Ealham's father, , was a prominent Kent cricketer who played for the county from 1966 to 1982, appearing in over 300 matches as a middle-order batsman and occasional wicketkeeper. Alan's successful career, which included contributing to Kent's triumphs in limited-overs competitions during the 1970s, provided Mark with direct exposure to professional cricket environments and inspired his own development as a player. Further strengthening the family's cricketing ties, Ealham's brother-in-law, Simon Willis, also represented as a wicketkeeper-batsman and occasional right-arm off-break bowler in first-class and during the . This close familial involvement in fostered a supportive upbringing centered around the game. Standing at 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m), Ealham possessed a compact build that complemented his role as an , enabling agile fielding—much like his father—and effective medium-pace bowling with good control and variations.

Introduction to cricket

Mark Ealham was introduced to at an early age, inspired by his father Alan Ealham's long career as a batsman and occasional wicketkeeper for from 1966 to 1982. Growing up in Kent's cricketing heartland, he developed his skills through local clubs in the region, where he began honing his abilities as a right-handed batsman and right-arm medium-fast bowler. Ealham's early involvement in the sport was shaped by this family legacy, which motivated his progression from grassroots levels to structured youth within . By the late 1980s, his potential as an had earned him opportunities in representative youth teams. In 1989, at the age of 19, he signed his first professional contract with , transitioning into and establishing himself as a versatile contributor with bat and ball.

Domestic career

Kent County Cricket Club

Mark Ealham made his first-class debut for in 1989 against Oxford University at , marking the start of a 15-year association with the county that lasted until 2003. During this period, he played over 200 first-class matches for Kent, establishing himself as a versatile who contributed to the team's efforts in the and other domestic competitions. His consistent performances earned him a county cap in 1992, recognizing his growing importance to the side. In for , Ealham showcased his all-round abilities, scoring more than 8,000 runs at an average of around 32 while taking over 400 wickets at under 28 apiece, often delivering key bowling spells in crucial matches. One standout bowling effort came in the 2001 County Championship against at , where he claimed 6 wickets for 64 runs to help restrict the opposition. His medium-pace bowling, characterized by accuracy and swing, proved particularly effective on Kent's home pitches, supporting the team's pushes for championship contention in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Ealham's batting flourished in limited-overs formats, where he recorded 6,326 runs and 477 wickets across his List A career, highlighting his adaptability in shorter games. A pinnacle moment arrived in the Sunday League season when he smashed the fastest century in the competition's history, reaching 100 runs off just 44 balls—including nine sixes and nine fours—against at , propelling to a commanding . This explosive exemplified his power-hitting prowess and was instrumental in securing the Sunday League title that year, their first limited-overs trophy since 1978, with Ealham playing a pivotal role in the campaign's success through his all-round contributions.

Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club

After leaving Kent at the end of the 2003 season, Mark Ealham signed a three-year contract with ahead of the 2004 campaign, seeking a fresh challenge in his mid-30s. His prior experience at , where he had honed his all-round skills over 15 years, aided a smooth adaptation to the outfit. In his debut season, Ealham played a pivotal role in Nottinghamshire's promotion from Division Two of the , scoring nearly 900 runs at an average of 48 in the competition, which helped secure the title. The following year, 2005, marked a career highlight as he contributed significantly to Nottinghamshire's victory—their first since 1987—with a leading haul of 56 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 20.80, the fifth-best in Division One. Ealham's all-round contributions extended to limited-overs cricket, where he added explosive batting cameos, such as 45 runs off 17 balls against Durham in the Twenty20 Cup. Throughout his later years with (2006–2009), Ealham maintained batting consistency, often stabilizing the middle order during turbulent periods, including key innings that supported the club's 2007 promotion back to Division One after relegation the previous season. By the end of his tenure, these efforts rounded out an impressive first-class career totaling 281 matches, 11,349 runs at an average of 31.96 (including 13 centuries), and 643 wickets at 27.93. Ealham announced his retirement from professional in September 2009, concluding 20 seasons at the top level, to take up a coaching position at King's School in .

International career

Test cricket

Mark Ealham made his Test debut for on 4 July 1996 in the third Test against at , , following strong domestic performances for that earned him a late call-up to the squad. In his first match, he contributed 51 runs in the first innings and claimed six wickets, including that of , contributing to 's draw. Ealham went on to play eight in total, with his final appearance coming on 18-21 June 1998 in the first Test against at . Over his Test career, Ealham batted in 13 , scoring 210 runs at an average of 21.00, with a highest score of 53 not out. As a right-arm medium-fast bowler, he took 17 wickets at an average of 28.71, with best figures of 4/21. His most notable contributions came during the 1997 Ashes series at home against , where he played four and provided useful lower-order resistance, including an unbeaten 53 in the first Test at that helped reach 478 for nine declared on the first day. In that , his formed part of a record fourth-wicket partnership of 288 with , contributing to 's victory by nine wickets and a brief resurgence in the series. Ealham's Test career was brief due to intense competition from other all-rounders, such as Andrew Caddick and , and his inconsistent selection thereafter, despite solid domestic form. He made the most of limited opportunities without establishing himself as a regular in the side, playing his last Test just two years after his debut.

One Day International cricket

Mark Ealham made his (ODI) debut for on 23 May 1996 against at , , where he scored 40 in a match with no result due to rain. Over the course of his ODI career, which spanned until his final appearance on 12 June 2001 against at , Ealham played 64 matches, establishing himself as a reliable in the shorter format. His selection often provided balance to the side, offering medium-pace bowling support and lower-order batting stability during a period when sought to build competitiveness in limited-overs . In batting, Ealham accumulated 716 runs across 45 at an of 17.46 and a of 65.57, with his highest score of 45 coming against in 1998; his contributions were typically gritty, focusing on partnerships rather than explosive scoring, which suited the tactical needs of the era. With the ball, he claimed 67 wickets in 62 at an rate of 4.08, showcasing his accuracy and ability to exploit conditions; his standout performance was figures of 5/15 against on 30 January 2000 in Kimberley, , where all five dismissals were (LBW), setting a record for the most LBWs by a bowler in a single ODI . This haul restricted to 161/9, enabling to chase victory with ease and highlighting Ealham's peak effectiveness as a seamer who relied on seam movement and discipline. Ealham featured prominently in major tournaments, beginning with the 1996 World Cup in , , and , where he played six matches, taking nine wickets at an average of 18.77—including a best of 3/36 against —and scoring 34 runs in five innings to aid lower-order recoveries. In the 1999 World Cup hosted in , he appeared in five games, securing 10 wickets at 19.10 runs each with an economy of 3.82, notably 2/28 against , while contributing 46 runs in four innings despite 's disappointing quarter-final exit. His form in bilateral series was equally notable, such as the 1997–98 Akai-Singer Champions Trophy in Sharjah, UAE, where he played all four matches, taking six wickets overall, including 1/40 in the final against —helping chase 236 to win the title by 3 wickets—and scoring 4 runs in the final to support key chases. By 2001, Ealham's international career concluded amid a team transition, as selectors favored emerging talents like and for greater dynamism; his final ODI saw him take 1/32 (did not bat) in a 2-run defeat to , after which he was not recalled despite strong domestic form. This shift reflected England's push toward a more aggressive one-day setup, though Ealham's contributions had provided consistent all-round utility during a transitional phase for the side.

Post-playing career

Retirement

Mark Ealham officially retired from all forms of professional in September 2009, at the age of 40, following the conclusion of his stint with . In his final season, secured second place in the , marking a strong end to his domestic playing career. Over 20 seasons in , Ealham amassed 11,349 runs at an average of 31.96 across 281 matches, while taking 643 wickets at an average of 27.93. In , he scored 6,326 runs at 23.96 in 417 matches and claimed 477 wickets at 26.50, underscoring his value as a reliable . Ealham expressed deep satisfaction with his all-round contributions throughout his career, noting pride in his achievements despite not always being the most talented player, and he harbored no regrets about timing his exit while still performing effectively. Family played a significant role in his reflections, as he looked forward to more time with his loved ones after years of travel and absences, influenced by the cricketing tradition in his household that included his father Alan and his own sons' aspirations in the . As he transitioned out of playing, Ealham indicated an interest in staying involved in through , viewing it as a natural next step to share his experience.

Coaching roles

Following his retirement from professional cricket in 2009, Mark Ealham transitioned into coaching, leveraging his expertise as a and to focus on player development. He served as the bowling coach for from 2011 to 2018, where he specialized in refining techniques for emerging talents within the county's academy and first-team setup. In September 2009, Ealham became the head of cricket at The King's School in , a role he continues to hold, mentoring young players and contributing to the school's cricket program. During his tenure there, he worked with several academy prospects, including fast bowler , helping to nurture their skills through targeted bowling sessions. Ealham holds a Level 3 ECB qualification, which has underpinned his work in developing young seam bowlers at , where he emphasized technical precision and match readiness for players like those in the 2015 Spitfires squad. His playing experience, particularly in medium-pace , directly informed a practical, hands-on style that prioritized real-game application over theoretical drills. In addition to his institutional roles, Ealham established The Coaching Grid, a providing specialized services, including one-on-one sessions on batting, , and fielding, primarily based in but with flexibility for travel. As of 2025, Ealham maintains his position at The King's School and offers private through The Coaching Grid, while continuing part-time involvement with CCC, though he has not taken on major national-level positions.

References

  1. https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/2/2356/2356.html
  2. https://www.kentcricket.co.uk/profile/mark-alan-ealham/
  3. https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/trentbridge/history/players/mark-ealham.html
  4. https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/mark-ealham-12466
  5. https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/alan-ealham-12583
  6. https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/simon-willis-22463
  7. https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/news/2009/september/ealham-prepares-for-life-after-notts.html
  8. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/a-brief-history-of-the-mote-60184
  9. https://www.thecricketpaper.com/where-are-they-now-kent-1995-axa-sunday-league-winners/
  10. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/counties/nottinghamshire/3230311.stm
  11. https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/news/2017/november/tests-at-trent-bridge-ealham-excels-on-england-debut.html
  12. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-england-1996-62278/england-vs-india-3rd-test-63715/full-scorecard
  13. https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/mark-ealham-12466/matches
  14. https://www.howstat.com/cricket/statistics/Players/PlayerOverview.asp?PlayerID=2061
  15. https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Articles/0/314.html
  16. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2000/jan/30/matchreportscricket.cricket
  17. https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/12466.html?class=2;template=results;type=batting
  18. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/standard-bank-triangular-tournament-1999-00-61059/england-vs-zimbabwe-5th-match-66093/full-scorecard
  19. https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/12466.html?class=2;template=results;type=allround;filter=advanced;team=1;spanmax1=31+Dec+1996;spanmin1=01+Jan+1996;spanval1=span;subclassid=2;worldcup=1
  20. https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/12466.html?class=2;template=results;type=allround;filter=advanced;team=1;spanmax1=31+Dec+1999;spanmin1=01+Jan+1999;spanval1=span;subclassid=2;worldcup=1
  21. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/akai-singer-champions-trophy-1997-98-61016/england-vs-west-indies-final-65879/full-scorecard
  22. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/natwest-series-2001-61088/england-vs-pakistan-4th-match-66277/full-scorecard
  23. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/counties/6235167/Mark-Ealhams-final-bow-takes-Nottinghamshire-into-second-place.html
  24. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/counties/nottinghamshire/8141896.stm
  25. https://the-coaching-grid.co.uk/index.php/cricket/surrey/mark-ealham
  26. https://www.kentcricket.co.uk/news/mark-ealham-young-fast-bowlers-give-spitfires-firepower/
  27. https://www.kentcricket.co.uk/news/teenagers-stock-and-robinson-join-kent-cricket-academy/
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