Darren Maddy was born in Leicester on 23rd May 1974 and has played with Leicestershire for all of his cricket career. Darren has earnt the nickname of 'Mr 20/20' as over the last four years he has proved to be a sensational performer in 20/20 cricket. After a brilliant Man of the Match performance in last nights 20/20 quarter final win over Kent, Darren talks to the Leicestershire Foxes Supporters Site about his career and ambitions.
Tell us a bit about how your career started with Leicestershire and your achievements since.
I played local club cricket since I was 10, starting at the Leicester Banks where my Dad played and after captaining Leicestershire Schools and Young Cricketers through each age group, I was offered a professional contract on my 17th birthday with Leicestershire. I then made my First Class debut in 1994 against the touring South African team and was awarded my County Cap in 1996.
What is the biggest highlight of your career?
I've been lucky that throughout my career there have been many highlights starting with scoring my 1st first class century, winning the county championship in 1996 and 1998, being awarded my Test and One day International Caps and winning the Twenty20 final.
How would you describe yourself as a player and what attitude do
you have towards the game?
I'm very determined and I've always had to work extremely hard to be successful.
How would you feel about finishing your career being a one county man?
I've only wanted to play cricket for Leicestershire and I've been very lucky that the club have always shown faith in me.
Which other teams have you played for abroad and where did you enjoy yourself most?
Cricket is a great game and gives you the opportunity to travel around the world and experience many different cultures. I have been very lucky and have now played cricket in all the major cricketing countries and have met some great friends. When I was younger, I used to play club cricket in South Africa and more recently I have been playing in Australia. Both countries are fantastic but I have got a soft spot for Perth.
The overseas teams I have played for are as follows;
The Wanderers CC (Johannesburg SA)
Northern Free State (Kroonstad SA)
Rhodes University (Grahamstown SA)
Sunshine CC (Grenada)
Perth CC (Western Australia)
You are seen as one of the top batsmen on the circuit but which format of cricket do you prefer?
I enjoy all forms of the game but I think the true test of a player is in four day cricket. One day cricket is great fun especially the Twenty20 and it is nice to show off your skills in front of a big crowd, but you will always be remembered for your first class achievements.
What is the biggest crowd you have played in front of?
I've been lucky to play in front of some big crowds during my career starting with my first appearance in a Lords final. A full house at the Oval for my Test debut was very special and a capacity crowd at the Wanderers Stadium for a day night final against South Africa was pretty intimidating, but the Twenty20 finals day at Edgbaston was just awesome especially when we won the final against Surrey and had pretty much the whole stadium on our side!!
Have you had another job other than cricket?
No. I left Wreake Valley sixth form college during my A levels and have played cricket ever since, I have had a few part time jobs during the off season though which include working for my dad in his sock company and tarmacking for a mate.
What other sports do you like?
I love most sports and use to play most of them, but now I dont get the time to play anything else other then golf and 5 a side football or touch rugby as a warm up in the mornings.
What is your ultimate goal in cricket?
I've achieved most of my goals that I set out to accomplish, although I would have loved to have played more for England, would have loved to score a test century, would have loved to have been a part of the Ashes winning team and would love to have played in the World Cup. I'm still striving to get back in the England side especially with the World cup coming up in the new year.
What is the greatest innings and or/ best bowling performance you have made?
My best performances to date are;
Highest First class score 229 not out
Highest One Day score 167 not out
Best Bowling 5 for 37
What do you think your chances are of representing England again?As mentioned earlier, I've still got ambitions to play International cricket again and I'm hoping to be selected for the World Cup next year.
How do you prepare for a match and how do you wind down afterwards?
I like to go to the nets and work on my game plan the day before the game and then spend a little time thinking about who I'm playing against and how the wicket might play the night before the game. Too much thinking though can make me feel too nervous and tence so it's trying to find the right balance.
After the game I like to celebrate the team's and my own success, or I would try and relax and put a bad day behind me.
Who is the best player you have played with and against?
There are so many great players I've played against it would be unfair to say just one, so I'll try and name them in their respected roles;
Best Spinners- Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan.
Best Fast Bowlers - Curtly Ambrose and Allan Donald.
Best Batsmen- Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar and Darren Lehmann.
Having come through the ranks yourself, which young players, that we might not know much about, do you think have a big future with Leicestershire?
Stuart Broad, who is playing his first full season, I think will be outstanding at International Level. He has all the right attributes - height, pace, swing and can really bat as well.
Having been vice captain for a few years, would you consider taking over as skipper in the future?
Its been great vice captain over the past few years and its been a real honour to captain the side as well. I always thought that I would like to be and would make a good captain but now after seeing how difficult the job can be, I'm happy to let someone else take on that responsibility and allow myself to just concentrate and enjoy my own game.
When there is a big crowd at Grace Road (especially in the 20/20) does it make it easier or more difficult when playing in front a large attendance?
It's always exciting playing in front of a big crowd as there is a buzz that goes right around the ground. We're very lucky at Grace Road as we get great support especially in the Twenty20 and it certainly helps us to win those tight games!
Which batsman past or present has inspired you most?
Sir Don Bradman has always been a hero of mine ever since I saw a programme on him when I was very young. He was the greatest batsmen ever and I enjoy watching and reading anything about him, he inspired me to want to be a batsmen.
You are reknowned for being a world class fielder, who is the best fielder you have seen and why?Jonty Rhodes of South Africa is the best I've ever played against, he was just so quick to the ball and seemed to react to your shot before you'd even played it! Also I think Paul Collingwood has developed into being an excellent fielder and Trevor Penney was also outstanding at backward point for Warwickshire.
Name your all time Leicestershire XI (You can include yourself and as many overseas players as you like!)That's a difficult one, as there have been so many outstanding cricketers, but I'll try and pick the best XI that I have played with;
Maddy, Vince Wells, Brad Hodge, HD Ackerman, Ben Smith, Phil Simmons, Paul Nixon, Phil Defreitas, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Alan Mullally.
To what age can you see yourself playing first class cricket?
I would love to play until I'm 40, but the game is getting faster and younger, I still believe that I have got 6 great years left in me!
Who would you say are your closest friends in cricket?I've got many good friends but my closest would be;
Paul Nixon, Tim Mason (ex Leics and Essex) and Jon Dakin (ex Leics and Essex)
We have all heard of yourself being in a band with Charlie Dagnall. Can you tell us a little more about the band and do you have aspirations to have a platinum selling album!?
The band is called "Too Tone Deaf" and we've been playing together for about 5 years now. We've played a number of charity gigs and have got a number of serious musicians who are in the music business. We've had guest singers, Sam Blue who took over from Migure in Ultravox and Shena McSween who is a backing vocalist for Lisa Stansfield. Also, James Knight who plays for Michael Bubble, Charlotte Church and too many bands to mention, is regarded as one of the best
saxophonist in the UK. Unfortunately, we don't practice as often as we should need to so our platinum album will just have to wait!! In the future, once you have finished playing, what do you see yourself doing?I'm still undecided and are looking at many different options, I would however like to stay involved with the game.
If you could sign one player for Leicestershire, who would it be and why?Shane Warne as he is a genius!
How is life under the new regime of Tim Boon as coach and Jeremy Snape as Captain and what new ideas have they implemented?Both Tim and Jeremy have got lots of exciting ideas and are trying to breed a new culture of cricket at Leicester. This won't happen over night but we're already seeing some exciting things being achieved.
What realistic targets can Leicestershire achieve this season and in the future?Win the Twenty20 cup again and compete well in all competitions.
You have been left out of the Championship side for the last few matches, I guess that hurts?Its never nice to be left out of a team, but I've had to accept the management's decision and gone back into the second XI and have scored well there, so I'm hoping to get back into the championship team soon!
