Former England cricket captain Adam Hollioake embarked on an extraordinary second career as a cage fighter after his property business collapsed with debts of £13 million, leading to his bankruptcy in 2011.
From Cricket Glory to Financial Ruin
The Australian-born sportsman, who represented England in 35 One-Day Internationals and famously led the team to victory in the 1997 Sharjah Cup, found his world turned upside down seven years after retiring from professional cricket.
Hollioake had built a substantial property portfolio through his company, the Hollioake Group, intending it to secure his financial future. However, the global property crash devastated his investments, causing his business to collapse in 2010 with massive debts.
The situation worsened when a businessman sued Hollioake and his father, resulting in the former cricket star being declared bankrupt in Australia the following year.
Fighting for Survival
Facing financial ruin at age 40 with a family to support, Hollioake made the dramatic decision to enter combat sports to make ends meet.
He appeared on the professional boxing circuit in Brisbane and subsequently competed in mixed martial arts as a light heavyweight, including cage fighting matches.
In a candid interview with PCA Magazine, Hollioake revealed the terrifying reality of his situation: "All of a sudden from having all the money I needed and the accolades of being an England captain and everyone doing everything for me, there I was 40 years old, trying to look after my kids and not knowing how I was going to be able to pay my rent or any bills that came in."
He added powerfully: "Stepping into a cage and fighting another man is nothing compared to the fear of not being able to look after your family. For me that is the scariest thing I have ever been through."
Return to Cricket and Redemption
After his fighting career, Hollioake returned to his first love - cricket coaching. He began coaching in 2017 and worked with various teams before landing significant roles.
His coaching journey included serving as batting coach for Pakistan during their 2023 tour of Australia, followed by a return to his former club Surrey as an assistant coach.
In December 2024, Hollioake's remarkable comeback was complete when he was appointed as head coach of Kent Cricket, signing a three-year contract.
Upon his appointment, Hollioake expressed his honour at the opportunity, stating: "It's an amazing chance for me to work with a great squad of players and to be involved with a county with such a rich history of success. County cricket is something that I hold extremely close to my heart, and this is an opportunity that I could not turn down."
Reflecting on his difficult journey, Hollioake now advises other athletes to "take advantage of the facilities and things which the PCA can offer you" and emphasizes the importance of pension planning, which he credits with saving his "life and sanity just about."
