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The photo shows Mark Robinson with Committee member Paul Hand
Mark Robinson was a right-arm fast-medium bowler who played for three different English counties (Northamptonshire, Yorkshire, and Sussex). He also spent one season in New Zealand, playing for Canterbury.
After retiring from playing, he served as coach of Sussex from 2005 to 2015, winning County Championships with the team in 2006 and 2007, and also coached several England Lions tours.
In 2015 he became coach to the England women's cricket team leading them to success in the World Cup final in 2017. He worked closely with Heather Knight, his captain and lieutenant-in-chief, of whom, he said “She is as good a leader of people – man or woman – as I’ve worked with. She’s outstanding, she’s up there for me with anyone.’’
On 21 January 2021, he was appointed the Warwickshire CCC first team coach. It is hardly a coincidence that the Bears went on to win the County Championship later that year.
Mark spoke with great humility and honesty about his early days at Yorkshire and how much he was made to feel at home when he moved to Northants. One of his anecdotes was when he was required to accompany Denis Lillee on the eve of an important match – to ensure the other players got to bed early – whilst he was kept up until the early hours!
He also referred with great humour and self-deprecation to his efforts to avoid becoming a batting world record holder of twelve noughts in a row – but did emphasise that seven were not out!
He talked about his approach to coaching based on his own experiences, ensuring players were supported and included.
He referred to his time coaching the England Women’s team and how he had learned from them about prejudice. Clearly one of the highlights of his career was coaching them to win the 2017 World Cup which he related with great pride.
A lovely, warm, self-effacing and genuine person we all enjoyed meeting.
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