Jack Russell, Ex-England Keeper-Turned-Painter: 'Probably Earned More Money...'
Former England cricketer Jack Russell, now a painter, paints daily, often cricket-themed works, and sells globally.
Painting portraits in an upscale area of London, former England wicketkeeper-batter Jack Russell remains as quirky as he was during his cricketing days.
Russell maintains a social media presence to promote his paintings globally, but he avoids phones and isn't on WhatsApp. The best way to contact him is via email, and the most likely place for an in-person meeting is the Chris Beetles Gallery in central London.
At 61, Russell was known for his unconventional batting stance and wearing sunglasses on the field. Behind the stumps, he donned a worn-out hat like it was part of him, and his quick hands secured his place among England's finest wicketkeepers.
Over 20 years after retiring from county cricket, Russell stays connected to the game through his paintings. A visit to the gallery on Ryder Street offers cricket enthusiasts a nostalgic experience.
With many of his followers being Indian, Russell recently painted a portrait of Ranjitsinhji, the first Indian to play for England.
'Just every year I try and paint somebody from history. Last year I did ex England captain Douglas Jardine, a very controversial character from the Ashes.
'This year I chose Ranjitsinhji, one reason being the rich history of the man. If you study him and look at his career, he's a colourful character, stroke player, a bit of a trailblazer. It is one of my favourites in the exhibition.
'With India and England playing currently, I thought it was the right time to do it," Russell was quoted as saying to PTI.
What Does Jack Russell Like More – Cricket Or Painting?
Talking to Russell, one feels that he loves cricket, but painting more.
'I retired from England cricket in 1998 and I retired from County Cricket in 2004, so over 20 years now, it's gone quickly, but very busy just painting. It's the only skill I've got left, so I just paint every day. That's what I do. That's my job. So I just paint, paint, paint. I have been doing it for about 35-36 years now. That is longer than my playing days," Russell said.
Growing up, Russell always had an interest in art, but he only started painting seriously during rain breaks in cricket games in England, often frustrating his teammates.
Although not motivated by money, some of his work from the 2019 Ashes series has sold for as much as 25,000 pounds.
Has he made more money as an artist than a cricketer?
'Yeah, I think so, because in those days, we got pretty well paid, but it's not what they get paid now. These guys now, if you play for England for five or 10 years, then you shouldn't have to work again. If you're careful with your money, you'll be fine.
'But I don't do it for the money. I do it for the addiction and the love. But yeah, I probably earned more money now painting than I did playing. I'm just so lucky to have two jobs that I love doing.
'And even if I had to have another job and paint pictures, I would do it. But luckily, because people buy my pictures all over the world, it allows me to keep painting and I don't have to get a proper job."
Russell toured India twice, first for the Nehru Cup in 1989 and again for the 1996 World Cup. He hasn't returned since. He considers his painting of the Brabourne Stadium during an exhibition game among his best work.
'I loved India and Pakistan. I had such great time on the days off. You know, we could go off then and do your own thing. I'd go down to the local market and sketch local people.
'At various points, I had people knocking on my hotel room door asking to be painted. And I used to sit in a restaurant at night and get my canvases out and paint people sitting in restaurants, and musicians and things, and the local landscape.
'I used to pain on the street with my England shirt but got moved on by the police which is fair enough as it caused bit of a problem.
'I could spend the rest of my life there. I just had such a great time painting in India and Pakistan. And I did some nice stuff in South Africa," Russell said, fondly recalling interactions with Sachin Tendulkar and Javagal Srinath, his teammate at Gloucestershire.
'He could bowl quick," Russell remarked about Srinath.
Is Jack Russell Still Following Cricket?
Russell likes to stay updated on cricket. If he's not at the ground, he follows live scores. Despite painting daily, he visited Lord's for the third Test between India and England.
'I have probably watched more of this series than I should have done because I should have been painting pictures of people. But it's been quite enthralling."
As a wicketkeeper, he enjoys discussing his peers and has advice for Jamie Smith and Rishabh Pant.
'There's been so many good wicketkeepers out there. I would say in my time, Alan Knott and Bob Taylor were my two heroes.
'But I used to like watching Syed Kirmani. I watched him a lot when I was younger. I thought he was a good keeper."
Regarding current wicketkeepers, Russell said, 'Rishabh Pant, you've got to watch him play. You've got to, whether he's batting or keeping wicket, you've just got to watch the guy. So he's an entertainer.
'And it's great to see that he's back playing cricket too (after the car accident). I think the young lad, Jamie Smith, I think he will end up being England's greatest ever batsman wicketkeeper of all time because the guy has got a lot of skill.
'He's a big guy, but he's quite agile. And his batting is so strong. I mean, you could put him into Gilchrist bracket, the way he hits the ball."
Does Pant have any weaknesses in wicketkeeping?
'He's going to make mistakes because there are technically things that need to iron out. But he'll do brilliant things and he'll make mistakes as well, but most keepers do.
'But keeping in England is quite a difficult place to get wickets. So he's not going to be perfect here, but his batting is so strong.
'There's some work he needs to do (in wicket-keeping), standing up to the stumps, only minor adjustments. I'm going to tell him if he asks me. But they're small things and they're probably just small mental things about vision and what balls to expect where," Russell concluded before returning to his passion for painting.
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July 16, 2025, 19:34 IST
News cricket Jack Russell, Ex-England Keeper-Turned-Painter: 'Probably Earned More Money...'
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