Christmas as a Test Cricketer: Steven Finn’s Reflections

Christmas can be a strange time for a Test cricketer. When not in the midst of a series, cricketers focus on maintaining fitness and avoiding indulgence to stay in shape. However, if a cricketer plays during the festive season, they often prepare for a Boxing Day Test. During his career, Steven Finn spent much of his time chasing the sun, playing cricket year-round and losing track of dates and seasons. Between March 2010 and November 2017, Finn spent three Christmases away from home. In other years, he returned just before Christmas.

Christmas on tour often felt disconnected from the holiday spirit. Instead of enjoying turkey dinners in the British winter, Finn found himself in the sunshine, contemplating the hotel buffet or focusing on the next day’s match. It created a strange juxtaposition between the desire to relax and indulge and the pressure to stay physically and mentally prepared for a Test match. Finn’s experiences of touring at Christmas have been mixed. In 2010, he faced a low point during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

After a challenging series in Perth, the team dropped him just before the match. With his family visiting to watch him play, Finn felt like a huge disappointment. Despite this setback, he found solace in his love for the game and the support from his teammates. In contrast, Christmas 2015 in Durban was far more rewarding. After returning from injury, Finn felt confident he would play in the opening Test against South Africa.

This time, he felt the support of coach Trevor Bayliss and captain Alastair Cook and went on to take a memorable wicket in the Test, helping England win by 241 runs. Christmas on tour often felt like another Test week for Finn. Now, he reflects on the joy of spending the festive period at home and the balance it brings to his life. He watches other players prepare for the challenges of cricket even on Christmas Day.