Martin McCague


Martin John McCague is a former professional cricketer who played for the England cricket team in three Test matches in 1993 and 1994. McCague was born in Northern Ireland and grew up in Australia where he began his professional career.

Career

His development as a cricketer started in Australia, where he grew up. He played first-class cricket for Kent County Cricket Club, who due to his Northern Ireland origins were allowed to field both him and an overseas player.
His selection for England drew negative comments from some cricket commentators including John Woodcock in view of the fact that he had started his career in Australia. It was not just English fans who disliked this: during the 1994-5 Ashes in Australia, when he hailed a taxi, the Australian driver called him a traitor and refused to take him. He bowled well on debut, taking 4 for 121 in the first innings of the 1993 Trent Bridge Test. He had considerable pace but lacked control. With his experience of first-class cricket in Australia, his selection for that winter's Ashes tour was not as surprising as is sometimes suggested.
In 1994 McCague took 15 for 147 in a championship match against Derbyshire. He continued to play county cricket for many years albeit intermittently. He played some Twenty20 cricket in 2005.

Personal life

McCague played one first team game for semi-professional Australian rules football team North Adelaide in 1990.
He has two children and as of 2018 plays for Leeds and Broomfield Cricket Club.