By Steven Downes
Nearly 20 years since he opened the batting for England at Lord’s with Mike Atherton, Steve James is to resume that partnership, but now in the press box on behalf of The Times.
James, who until last month had worked as the rugby correspondent of the Sunday Telegraph, starts a new job as cricket and rugby writer for The Times in a fortnight.
“It’s better than ‘good’ news,” said James, an SJA member.
“I’m absolutely thrilled and excited to be starting at The Times and working with Mike again.”
Atherton, the former England cricket captain, is the chief cricket correspondent at The Times, where he has accumulated sports journalism awards as he once did Test runs.
Atherton and James were student cricketers together when at Cambridge University.
In his new job, James will be batting at No2 in The Times‘s cricket writing order, which may involve some touring work, though much of his winters may be taken up with rugby writing, starting next month when the former Glamorgan cricket captain will be working on the start of the Six Nations.
The vacancy arose because Richard Hobson is taking voluntary redundancy after 20 years with the paper.
James began his journalism career by writing on rugby for the Sunday Telegraph in 1999. In 2008, he was appointed cricket columnist for the Sunday Telegraph – replacing Atherton. He has written several books, including two for the Wales and Lions captain, Sam Warburton.
“We’re just delighted to be getting Steve on board and grateful to Hobbo for his massive contribution to our cricket coverage for more than 20 years,” Times head of sport Tim Hallissey said today.