Frosty the Groundsman...
F
or the second time in his cricketing life Tony Frost has retired. But this time it’s for good. And, for the second time in his life,
he’s returned to the second love of his life - being a groundsman.
“I must be the luckiest guy there is. Since I was just fifteen, coming to work has meant Edgbaston. I progressed through the ranks to play as a county professional and, now that injury has forced a second retirement, I’m still coming here. Just great.” By today’s standards of professional sportsmen, Tony Frost is an enigma. No flashy car, not one to court publicity or the headlines, just getting on with two jobs he adores. His career path has led him from playing the game as a kid in a Staffordshire village - he spent early summers watching his dad, Ivan, play league cricket - to preparing pitches for the next generation of county cricketing wannabees. He has no head for stats or facts and figures
surrounding his career. When did you make your debut? “Don’t know - er might have been Yorkshire.” Did you score many runs? “Don’t know.” How many catches did you take? “Don’t know.” Tony Frost is sitting high in the stands at
Warwickshire’s grand home on a fresh early autumn morning … and laughs at his lack of knowledge. “I really can’t remember, sorry. I know it was twelve years ago and Pipes (Keith Piper), our wicketkeeper, was injured so I got my chance” His voice trails off, he laughs again. No, he really can’t remember. (For the record, Tony, it was 1997 and you were awarded your county cap in 1999). His career took him to the end of the 2006 season when injury took its toll and he decided to retire. That’s when he decided “because I like the outdoors” to join the county’s groundstaff. But, in the winter of 2007-08, with new
“It’s complicated - more difficult than people think. It’s not just sitting on a mower and making the ground look good”
Warwickshire Head of Cricket, Ashley Giles, wanting back up for wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose, who had been called into the England squad, there was a vacancy in the four day county matches for an opening bat ... that when Tony’s phone rang. “I know Tony was struggling through injury” said Ashley, “and couldn’t keep wicket, except in an emergency. But he was an accomplished bat. He needed no persuading and helped us win promotion in a fantastic season - and stayed on for another summer.” Tony’s first season back was immensely succesful, amassing 1,003 first-class runs, at an average of 83.56, with a top score of 242 not out. “When he said he couldn’t carry on into 2010 I tried unsuccessfully to persuade him to play on” said Ashley. “We’ll miss him, that’s for sure.” Tony was only eighteen when he was offered a
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