Cricket is often associated with fame, wealth, and success. However, not all cricketers lead a comfortable life post-retirement. While some manage to sustain their earnings through coaching and brand deals, others experience financial difficulties. The transition from affluence to hardship is tragic, and it’s a reality that has affected several prominent players. Here are ten cricketers who faced financial struggles after their careers ended and the obstacles they had to overcome.
Here Are the Top 10 Cricketers Who Faced Poverty After Retirement
10. Wally Hammond
Wally Hammond, regarded as one of England’s greatest batsmen with 7,249 runs in Test cricket, faced a tragic decline after his retirement. After relocating to South Africa, he ventured into multiple businesses, all of which ended in failure. He tried running a motor company and even took up coaching, but nothing succeeded. The mounting financial pressure eventually took a toll on him, and he passed away in 1965 from a heart attack. Hammond is one of the Top 10 Cricketers Who Faced Poverty After Retirement.
| Player | Country | Span | Major Achievements | Post-Retirement Struggles |
| Wally Hammond | England | 1920-1947 | 7,249 Test Runs, 22 Centuries | Failed Businesses, Financial Struggles |
9. Janardhan Navle
Janardhan Navle, India’s first Test wicketkeeper, faced a life of severe hardship after his cricketing days were over. According to some accounts, he was seen begging along the Mumbai-Pune highway, while other reports suggest he took up a job as a watchman at a sugar mill. His time in cricket was brief, and with minimal financial assistance, he struggled with extreme poverty in his later years. Navle is counted among the Top 10 Cricketers Who Faced Poverty After Retirement.
| Player | Country | Span | Major Achievements | Post-Retirement Struggles |
| Janardhan Navle | India | 1932 | India’s First Test Wicketkeeper | Ended Up in Poverty, Watchman Job |
8. Tony Lock
Tony Lock, a renowned English bowler, moved to Australia to pursue a coaching career after retiring from cricket. Unfortunately, his life took a devastating turn when he was accused in two separate sexual abuse cases. These allegations severely damaged both his reputation and financial standing. Weighed down by the emotional and financial toll, he succumbed to cancer at the age of 65. Lock is remembered as one of the Top 10 Cricketers Who Faced Poverty After Retirement.
| Player | Country | Span | Major Achievements | Post-Retirement Struggles |
| Tony Lock | England | 1946-1968 | 2,844 First-Class Wickets | Legal Troubles, Financial Instability |
7. Arshad Khan
Arshad Khan, who represented Pakistan in 9 Tests and 58 ODIs, faced financial difficulties following his retirement from international cricket. Lacking a steady source of income, he had to take up a job as a taxi driver in Australia to provide for his family. His situation drew attention across the cricketing community, shedding light on the financial instability some ex-players endure. Arshad Khan is listed among Top 10 Cricketers Who Faced Poverty After Retirement.
| Player | Country | Span | Major Achievements | Post-Retirement Struggles |
| Arshad Khan | Pakistan | 1997-2006 | 58 ODIs, 9 Tests | Drove a Taxi in Australia |
6. Dattaram Hindlekar
Dattaram Hindlekar, a skilled Indian wicket-keeper from the 1930s, saw his cricketing journey cut short due to a finger injury. After his career ended, he struggled to make ends meet, earning only ₹800 a month to support himself. Tragically, he died at just 40 years old, leaving his wife and seven children in severe financial hardship. Hindlekar is remembered as one of the Top 10 Cricketers Who Faced Poverty After Retirement.
| Player | Country | Career Span | Major Achievements | Post-Retirement Struggles |
| Dattaram Hindlekar | India | 1933-1936 | Indian Wicketkeeper | Injury Forced Early Retirement, Low Income |
5. Adam Hollioake
Adam Hollioake, a former England all-rounder, relocated to Australia after retirement to manage his family’s business. However, the economic recession hit hard, resulting in major financial setbacks from which he couldn’t bounce back. In order to make ends meet, he began teaching martial arts and took up work as a security guard. Hollioake is recognized among the Top 10 Cricketers Who Faced Poverty After Retirement.
| Player | Country | Span | Major Achievements | Post-Retirement Struggles |
| Adam Hollioake | England | 1996-1999 | England ODI Captain | Business Failure, Martial Arts Trainer |
4. Chris Cairns
Chris Cairns, once a celebrated all-rounder for New Zealand, encountered a series of hardships after retiring from cricket. Accusations of match-fixing led to lengthy legal battles, severely affecting his reputation and finances. His situation worsened in 2021 when he suffered a spinal stroke, resulting in paralysis and confinement to a wheelchair. At one stage, he had to clean bus shelters just to earn a living. Cairns is among the Top 10 Cricketers Who Faced Poverty After Retirement.
| Player | Country | Span | Major Achievements | Post-Retirement Struggles |
| Chris Cairns | New Zealand | 1989-2006 | 218 ODI Wickets | Match-Fixing Allegations, Health Issues |
3. Matthew Sinclair
Matthew Sinclair burst onto the cricket scene with a remarkable double century on debut, but he couldn’t consistently perform at the highest level. Following his retirement, he lacked a steady source of income and took up a job as a salesman to support his family. In interviews, he openly spoke about the financial challenges he faced, including difficulty paying bills. Sinclair is counted among the Top 10 Cricketers Who Faced Poverty After Retirement.
| Player | Country | Span | Major Achievements | Post-Retirement Struggles |
| Matthew Sinclair | New Zealand | 1999-2010 | 2148 Test Runs | Worked as a Salesman |
2. Paul Strang
Paul Strang, a gifted spinner from Zimbabwe, saw his cricketing career come to an early end due to the country’s political and economic turmoil. The financial strain he endured was so overwhelming that he once attempted to take his own life. Fortunately, he eventually rebuilt his life by turning to coaching, where he dedicated himself to mentoring young cricketers. Strang is recognized as one of the Top 10 Cricketers Who Faced Poverty After Retirement.
| Player | Country | Span | Major Achievements | Post-Retirement Struggles |
| Paul Strang | Zimbabwe | 1994-2001 | 73 ODI Wickets | Faced Bankruptcy, Attempted Suicide |
1. Graeme Pollock
Graeme Pollock, hailed as one of South Africa’s finest batsmen, faced immense challenges after his retirement. His venture into the brokerage business ended in failure, resulting in significant financial setbacks. Adding to his troubles, he was later diagnosed with cancer and also suffered a heart attack, which further complicated his already difficult life. Pollock is among the top 10 cricketers who experienced poverty after stepping away from the game.
| Player | Country | Span | Major Achievements | Post-Retirement Struggles |
| Graeme Pollock | South Africa | 1963-1987 | 2256 Test Runs | Business Failure, Cancer Diagnosis |
Conclusion
These cricketers’ stories highlight that fame and success during a sporting career don’t always ensure financial stability afterward. A mix of unfortunate circumstances—such as poor financial planning, health problems, and sheer misfortune-can quickly turn a life of wealth into one of struggle. They are among the top 10 cricketers who fell into poverty after retirement.