Before they were Ashes stars: The first jobs of Aussie cricketers
From baristas to the baggy green, Australia’s Ashes heroes have worked as carpenters, bartenders camera operators and even trained as commercial pilots before reaching cricket stardom.
They’re some of Australia’s best known cricketers, but before they played for their country life looked very different for our Ashes stars.
Behind the polished performances in this series are players who were shaped long before they pulled on the Baggy Green, many through jobs and experiences far removed from elite sport.
Before they were dismantling England, grinding out centuries or anchoring Australia’s Ashes dominance, they were carpenters, bartenders, office workers, would-be pilots — even camera operators, earning just $90 a day.
Their stories reveal just how unconventional the road to elite cricket can be.
Some balanced full-time study with early-morning training, others juggled trade apprenticeships or hospitality shifts, and a few came very close to choosing entirely different careers.
BEFORE THEY WERE CRICKET STARS
Alex Carey – Australian wicketkeeper:
Alex Carey is widely considered one of the safest hands in world cricket, his glove work in the Gabba Test a reminder of how he can change a game from behind the stumps. But before he was securing catches, he was safeguarding clients.
The South Australian worked as a client service officer at Adelaide financial advisory firm, FinSec, for just over a year from March 2015.
A young Carey changed codes from Aussie rules to cricket while simultaneously completing a diploma in financial planning.
Despite holding a rookie contract with South Australia, he impressed colleagues with his work ethic — often arriving early or staying late to finish tasks.
FinSec supported his cricket ambitions, with flexible hours for training and matches.
Carey left in 2016 after earning a full Redbacks deal, and though the firm kept his role open, he hasn’t returned since rising to Australian honours.
Steve Smith – Australian batter and stand-in captain:
Before captaining Australia to a 2–0 Ashes lead and becoming one of the most influential batters of his generation, Steve Smith was cleaning up bottles.
Smith left Menai High School early to prioritise cricket, supported by Cricket NSW. As part of the NSW rookie program, players were encouraged to study or work part-time.
The then 18-year-old Smith landed a short-term job at a local RSL club, helping in the kitchen and collecting bottles for five weeks before cracking into the NSW side.
It’s a far cry from the tactical mastermind he is today, but a reminder of how humble even the greatest of careers can begin.
Pat Cummins – Australian Test captain:
Pat Cummins’ influence extends well beyond the field.
Set to return from a six-month lay-off with a lumbar stress fracture, the Australian captain has an impressive portfolio of business investments — including sugar-free beverage company Nexba, AI energy platform Gridsight, and craft brewery Mountain Culture Brewing Co.
Cummins’ business interests were formed during an injury-plagued early career.
Debuting for Australia at 18 and then spending long stretches on the sidelines, Cummins used his downtime to complete a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) at the University of Technology Sydney.
Cameron Green – Australian all-rounder:
Australia may never have found their next Andrew Flintoff-like all-rounder if the Western Australian Cricket Association hadn’t intervened.
Before focusing on cricket, Cameron Green was a talented key forward representing Western Australia in under-16s Aussie rules.
He admits he never stuck with one sport for long, rotating every few months out of boredom. But that all changed when WACA talent scouts spotted him at the perfect moment.
They offered him a contract first at age of 16 — and the decision was effectively made for him.
It’s one that has paid off handsomely, delivering Australia a 196cm seam-bowling, middle-order batting weapon.
Usman Khawaja – Australian opener:
With an average near 45 across 80 Tests, Usman Khawaja is one of Australia’s most reliable — yet still underrated — modern openers. But his talents stretch far beyond cricket.
At 23, Khawaja completed a Bachelor of Aviation (Flying) at the University of New South Wales in 2007, all while juggling state and national commitments. He earned his commercial pilot’s licence during that time, making him one of the few international cricketers capable of flying a commercial aircraft.
Marnus Labuschagne – Australian batter:
Long before he became Australia’s run-machine, Marnus Labuschagne had a far more modest role on the cricketing stage: operating Channel 9’s Hotspot camera.
During the 2010 Ashes at the Gabba, Labuschagne earned $90 a day moving the infra-red camera used for DRS. A last-minute fill-in through a personal connection, he happened to be behind the lens when Siddle took his famous hat-trick — getting paid to watch history unfold.
Off the field, he’s become the national team’s self-appointed barista. After completing a barista course at 21, he now travels with a La Marzocco machine and reportedly carry around 50kg of beans on every tour.
Now with his passion for coffee, he has also co-founded The Run Club Coffee Co., a boutique coffee bean business in collaboration with Neighbourhood Coffee Roasters in Brisbane.
Brendan Doggett – Australian fast bowler:
Before becoming Australia’s 472nd Test cricketer and only the third Indigenous man to play Test cricket, Brendan Doggett worked as a carpenter in Toowoomba.
After leaving school, Doggett juggled carpentry with grade cricket, content with weekend matches, never imagining a professional future.
He didn’t even aspire to play in Brisbane, moving there only to follow his brother.
But the move unknowingly placed Doggett on the path that would lead — eventually — to a Baggy Green.
Beau Webster – Australian all-rounder:
Having played seven Tests for Australia, Beau Webster’s path was anything but straightforward.
He first followed his builder father into an apprenticeship, then attempted university courses in journalism and business, completing neither.
His most stable off-field venture came in a mortgage broking gig – a career he is considering returning to in the future, with a diploma.
On the field, Webster reinvented himself during the Covid years.
Formerly a batter who dabbled in off-breaks, Tasmania needed a seam-bowling all-rounder — forcing him to take pace bowling seriously.
With coach Adam Griffith, he fixed technical flaws that once caused debilitating back soreness.
Scott Boland – Australian fast bowler:
Before dismantling England with metronomic accuracy, Scott Boland was working behind the bar at Doyles Hotel in Mordialloc and collecting dirty glasses.
When it came to cricket, a turning point came when his coach at Frankston Peninsula gave him an ultimatum: return to pre-season 5kg lighter.
Boland delivered, taking 2–7 in the 2009–10 season opener and finishing with 26 wickets as his team reached the finals.
Two years later, he secured a Victorian rookie contract — the beginning of a decade-long rise to one of Test cricket’s most beloved late bloomers.
Nathan Lyon – Australian off-spinner:
Before he became Australia’s most successful off-spinner with over 560 Test wickets, Nathan Lyon was literally preparing the pitches he would one day dominate.
A groundsman at Adelaide Oval after moving from Canberra, Lyon bowled part-time in grade cricket.
His life changed in 2010 when he was spotted rolling the pitch during a South Australian training session. Former Test batter Callum Ferguson urged coach Darren Berry to give the groundsman a bowl — and Berry was stunned by the fizz and turn Lyon could generate.
Within months, Lyon made his T20 debut. Eight months later came his Test debut. From obscurity to 500-plus wickets — one of the game’s great stories.
Michael Neser – Australian all-rounder:
Before taking a five-wicket haul in his third Test at the Gabba, Michael Neser balanced cricket with studies and a deep interest in aviation.
The Queensland quick completed a Bachelor of Business in Real Estate and Property Development at Griffith University, continuing his studies during an injury-enforced break.
He also holds a commercial pilot’s licence and visited an RAAF base in 2023 with fellow cricketer-pilot Usman Khawaja.
Off the field, Neser has also ventured into business, co-founding Horse and Hound Mobile Bar with former Queensland cricketer Nathan Reardon, converting old horse floats into boutique bars.
Travis Head – Australian batter
Travis Head is a talented cricketer, but has created a lucrative side hustle off the field.
Growing up in Adelaide, he excelled in junior and grade cricket, making his first-class debut for South Australia in early 2012. His consistent performances earned him a rookie contract, followed by a full state contract, cementing his professional cricket career.
Head also secured a Big Bash League contract with Adelaide Strikers, showcasing his all-format abilities.
Off the field, he has launched a wine range with Bleasdale Vineyards and partners with wellness brand Prepd, building a business presence while still competing internationally.
Originally published as Before they were Ashes stars: The first jobs of Aussie cricketers
‘Sitting on his backside’: Hadley blasts Premier over sunset clauses
