Next chapter awaits for Onions

A legend of the English game has spoken to the PCA about what the future holds for him, as former England, Lancashire and Durham seam bowler Graham Onions looked forward to his new role in teaching.

Onions, 38, retired in September with 723 first-class wickets to his name, including a famous Test debut five-fer against West Indies at Lord’s, and has now set his sights on unearthing the next generation of cricketing talent at Scarborough College, North Yorkshire, whilst also staying on as a coach at former club Lancashire.

In looking back on his own transition, the veteran seamer praised the influence of the PCA and urged other players in his position to pick up the phone and reach out to the Association if they ever feel the need to.

Former Derbyshire and Northamptonshire man Ben Cotton has stayed within the sporting world since being released last year, and has built on his passion for golf to forge a career as a greenkeeper.

Cotton made over 70 professional appearances in all formats, claiming 99 wickets during his five years in the game, and has now set his sights on helping the JCB Golf and Country Club, Staffordshire, to become one of the country’s leading golf centres.

The 27-year-old is keeping his options open, and also harbours ambitions to move into the world of coaching, having completed his ECB badges earlier this year.

Our first 2020 Futures Week case study was former Kent fast bowler Ivan Thomas.

Thomas, 29, left his boyhood club Kent earlier this year after a nine-year spell in Canterbury during which he was hampered by multiple injuries.

With 73 appearances and 112 wickets in all formats to his name, Thomas has recognised the importance of planning ahead in learning how to become a coffee roaster.

Following in the footsteps of fellow PCA member Tim Linley (pictured alongside Thomas below right), Thomas is now hoping to pursue a career in coffee making full-time, as he explains…