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News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Jack Russell, Ex-England Keeper-Turned-Painter: 'Probably Earned More Money...'
Last Updated: 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. Get latest Cricket news, live score and match results on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : India vs England Jack Russell Off The Field view comments Location : London, United Kingdom (UK) First Published: July 16, 2025, 19:34 IST News cricket Jack Russell, Ex-England Keeper-Turned-Painter: 'Probably Earned More Money...' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. 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Pink Villa
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Did you know Sachin Tendulkar's old rival, former England wicketkeeper Jack Russell is now a painter in London?
Former England wicketkeeper Robert Charles 'Jack' Russell may have spent a decade facing cricket's finest including Sachin Tendulkar; but today, he's better known in London's art circles than in dressing rooms. The 61-year-old eccentric, once famous for his scruffy sunhat and quick hands behind the stumps, has quietly built a second act as a successful professional painter. He's even admitted it has made him more money than his sporting career ever did. A career that started on rainy English grounds Russell's fascination with painting began during rain delays on the county circuit, evolving into a serious pursuit during his international career from 1988 to 1998. By the time he retired from county cricket in 2004, he had already spent nearly two decades honing his craft. 'It's the only skill I've got left,' he told PTI. 'So I just paint, paint, and paint. That's my job.' He now works daily from his studio and exhibits frequently at the Chris Beetles Gallery in London. Some of his works, particularly from the 2019 Ashes, have fetched up to 25,000 euros a piece. Cricket legends and historical icons on canvas Russell's art continues to be shaped by cricket. He often paints iconic venues and players, recently completing a portrait of Ranjitsinhji, the first Indian to play for England. 'Every year I try and paint someone from history,' he said, noting Ranjitsinhji's flair and significance. His Indian fanbase remains strong, and he fondly recalls painting streetscapes and people during tours of India and Pakistan, stating he 'had such a 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.' He also mentioned that he wanted to visit India again, as 'the material there for painting and sketching is fantastic.' While Russell insists he paints for the love of it, he acknowledges, 'I probably earned more money now painting than I did playing.' His brush has, quite literally, outscored his bat.


India.com
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
From Wickets To Watercolors: Jack Russell Says He Earned More As A Painter Than Playing For England
In a posh corner of London, amidst the refined elegance of the Chris Beetles Gallery, Jack Russell—a name once synonymous with sharp reflexes behind the stumps—is now celebrated for his striking cricket-themed paintings. A mainstay in the England squad from 1988 to 1998, Russell played 54 Tests and 40 ODIs, facing legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammad Azharuddin, and Anil Kumble. But in his own words, art—not cricket—has become his "addiction". Having painted for over three decades now, Russell quips, "I probably earned more money now painting than I did playing." A Brush With History: Cricket's Legacy Captured on Canvas Russell's deep bond with the game remains unshaken—only now, it's expressed through oil and canvas instead of leather and willow. His portraits often spotlight legendary figures from cricket's rich past. One of his recent masterpieces features Ranjitsinhji, the first Indian to represent England. "Every year, I try to paint someone from cricket history. This year, it was Ranjitsinhji—the man was a trailblazer," Russell told PTI. His love for history and cricket beautifully collides in these works, creating timeless visual tributes to the sport. From Lord's to Local Markets: Russell's Love for India Russell fondly remembers his India tours—first in 1989 for the Nehru Cup and again during the 1996 World Cup. His fondness for the subcontinent goes beyond cricket. During off days, he wandered through bustling markets sketching locals, capturing life in its most candid form. "I used to sit in restaurants at night and paint people, musicians, local landscapes. I even painted on the streets wearing my England shirt—until the police asked me to move on!" he recalls with a chuckle. He cherishes his painting of Brabourne Stadium and considers his creative time in India and Pakistan among the most fulfilling of his life. 'I could spend the rest of my life there,' he admits. The Art Pays: "Probably Earned More Painting Than Playing" In the modern cricketing era of multimillion-dollar contracts, Russell's statement might surprise many. But his artworks, especially from the 2019 Ashes series, have fetched up to £25,000. Unlike today's stars, who can retire comfortably after a solid stint, Russell belonged to an era of modest paychecks. "We got paid decently back then, but nothing like what cricketers earn today," he says. "But I don't paint for the money—I paint because I love it." Keeper's Eye: Russell On Pant, Jamie Smith & The Art of Wicketkeeping Despite dedicating his days to painting, Russell remains an avid cricket watcher. He took time off his canvases to attend the third India vs England Test at Lord's and offered insights on two of the game's most exciting wicketkeepers—Rishabh Pant and Jamie Smith. "Pant's an entertainer. Whether he's batting or keeping, you can't take your eyes off him," he said. However, Russell does believe Pant still needs fine-tuning in his glovework, especially standing up to the stumps. As for Jamie Smith, Russell sees greatness. 'He's got the potential to be England's best ever batsman-wicketkeeper—maybe even in the Gilchrist league,' he opines. Off the Grid but Always Connected In true Jack Russell fashion, the 61-year-old defies the digital age—no phone, no WhatsApp. The only way to reach him is via email or a gallery visit. Yet, he maintains a dedicated fanbase across the cricketing world, especially in India, thanks to his social media presence focused on art. 'I just paint, paint, paint. It's what I do,' Russell says. That passion echoes through every brushstroke, just as it once did with every catch behind the stumps.


NDTV
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Sachin Tendulkar's Ex-Rival Is Now A Painter In London, Says: "Earned More Money Now Than I Did Playing"
Busy painting portraits in a posh locality of London, former England wicketkeeper-batter Jack Russell remains as eccentric as he was in his playing days. Russell, who has featured in matches against India involving Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble, Mohammad Azharuddin, does have a presence on social media as he needs to promote his paintings to his followers around the world after all, but he doesn't do phones and is not on whatsapp either. Jack Rusell's international career spanned from 1988 to 1998, during which time he played 54 Tests and 40 ODIs. The only way to reach him is via email and the most likely venue for an in-person meeting is the Chris Beetles Gallery in the heart of London. The 61-year-old was known for his unconventional batting stance and also had his sunglasses on in the middle. Behind the stumps, he wore a worn out hat as if it was an extension of his body and his lightening quick hands safely put him in the list of England's finest wicketkeepers. More than 20 years after his retirement from county cricket, Russell remains strongly connected to the game via his paintings. A visit to the gallery on Ryder Street would take a cricket purist to a trip down the memory lane. As a large chunk of his followers are Indians, 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," says Russell in an interview to PTI. In a detailed conversation with Russell, one gets a feeling that Russell loves cricket but not as much as painting. "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," says Russell. Growing up, Russell was always inclined to art but it was only during rain breaks of cricket games in England that he started painting with more purpose, most of the times at the expense of his irritated teammates. Russell is not in it for the money but some of his work from the 2019 Ashes series have been sold for as much as 25000 pounds. Is it fair to say that he has made more money as an artist than as 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." I could paint all day in India Russell toured India twice, first time for the Nehru Cup in 1989 before he returned for the 1996 World Cup. He has not gone back to India since then. He counts 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," says Russell who still cherishes his interactions with Sachin Tendulkar and Javagal Srinath, his teammate at Gloucestershire. "He could bowl quick," says Russell of the former Indian fast bowler. Smith could become England's greatest wicketkeeper, Pant too is exciting Russell likes to keep a track of what is happening in the cricketing world. If he is not at the ground, he follows live scores. Though he is painting every day, Russell took out time to visit 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." Being a wicketkeeper himself, he loves talking about his tribe and also has an advice for the likes of 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." What about the current lot of stumpers? "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." Any chinks do you see in Pant's wicket keeping? "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," says Russell before signing off and moving on to what he loves most.


Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Made more money doing this than playing cricket: Former England Cricketer Jack Russell shares the skill that changed his life
Tucked away in a posh lane in central London, Jack Russell is hard at work, not at the crease, but in front of a canvas. The former England wicketkeeper-batter is now better known in art circles than cricketing ones, though his love for the game has never truly faded. As reported by PTI, Russell remains as delightfully eccentric in retirement as he was in his playing days, a man who paints obsessively, avoids mobile phones, and is still not on WhatsApp. The only way to reach him? An email. And if you're lucky, you might spot him at the Chris Beetles Gallery in London, where his cricket-themed artworks bring nostalgic joy to purists and fans alike. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Artificial Intelligence Healthcare Technology healthcare MBA Operations Management Management PGDM others Leadership Product Management Design Thinking Cybersecurity CXO Public Policy Finance MCA Degree Project Management Data Science Others Data Science Digital Marketing Data Analytics Skills you'll gain: Duration: 7 Months S P Jain Institute of Management and Research CERT-SPJIMR Exec Cert Prog in AI for Biz India Starts on undefined Get Details From Gloves to Gallery Now 61, Russell is still recognised for his quirky style, the funky sunglasses, the battered sunhat that looked permanently attached to his head, and those lightning-fast hands behind the stumps. He was England's heartbeat behind the wicket for years. But more than two decades after retiring from county cricket, it's his brushstrokes, not his footwork, that get him praise. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 임플란트 부담되서 미루셨다면, 지금이 기회입니다 과잉진료, 추가금액 없는 치과 지금 신청하기 Undo 'I retired from England in 1998, county cricket in 2004, and I've just been painting ever since. It's the only skill I've got left,' he told PTI with a chuckle. 'That's what I do. I just paint, paint, paint.' And he's not exaggerating. Russell has been painting for over 35 years, longer than his entire professional cricket career. It all started during rain breaks in county games. While teammates grumbled, Russell would pull out sketchbooks and paint whatever he saw, often amusing or annoying the dressing room. Live Events Painting Ranjitsinhji, and a Little Piece of India Russell's love for cricket still runs deep through his brushes. He recently unveiled a portrait of Ranjitsinhji, the first Indian to play for England. 'Every year, I try and paint someone from cricket history. Last year it was Douglas Jardine. This time I thought it was the right moment to paint Ranjitsinhji, such a colourful character and a stroke player. It's one of my favourites,' he said. A big chunk of his followers are Indian fans, and Russell has fond memories of touring India, for the Nehru Cup in 1989 and again during the 1996 World Cup. One of his prized paintings is of Mumbai's Brabourne Stadium. 'I loved India and Pakistan. On days off, I'd wander through local markets and sketch people. People would knock on my hotel room door asking to be painted! I'd sit in restaurants, sketch musicians and landscapes, sometimes even paint on the street, though once the police had to move me on, which is fair enough,' he laughed. 'I could paint all day in India. I had such a great time.' 'I Probably Earned More Painting Than Playing Cricket' Some of Russell's works have fetched impressive prices, one from the 2019 Ashes sold for £25,000. But for him, it's not about the money. 'Back in our day, we got paid well, but not like now. Players today, if they play for England for 10 years, they can retire comfortably. But I don't paint for the money. I do it for the love. Still, yes, I've probably earned more as an artist than I ever did as a cricketer.' Watching Pant, Backing Smith Despite being immersed in the world of art, Russell remains deeply connected to the game. He visited Lord's during the ongoing India-England Test series and says he has watched 'more than he should,' often putting painting aside to follow the matches. As a fellow wicketkeeper, he keeps a close eye on the current crop. 'Pant, you've got to watch him, whether he's batting or keeping. He's an entertainer. I'm glad to see him back after that accident.' 'Jamie Smith, I think he could become England's greatest ever batsman-wicketkeeper. He's a big guy, but agile, with great batting power. Maybe even in the Gilchrist mould.' On Pant's wicketkeeping skills, he says: 'He'll make mistakes, there are a few technical things to iron out, especially when standing up to the stumps. But those are small things, more mental than anything. If he asks, I'll happily share what I've noticed.' He also fondly recalls Indian greats like Syed Kirmani and his Gloucestershire teammate Javagal Srinath, 'He could bowl quick,' he says with admiration. Inputs from PTI