Mark Robinson (cricketer, born 1966)
A gritty seam bowler turned transformative coach who shaped England's women into a world-dominating cricket force.
Born 1966 (age 60)·English cricketer·Birthday: November 23·Generation X
Biography
Mark Robinson's story is one of reinvention. As a player, the Sussex seamer was known for his relentless work ethic, carving out a solid county career defined more by perseverance than flamboyant talent. His true impact, however, came from the sidelines. After moving into coaching, he took the helm of the England women's team in 2015 at a time of transition. Robinson applied a professional, no-excuses mentality, focusing on fitness and mental resilience. His methods, sometimes controversial, forged a team that clinched the 2017 World Cup in a thrilling final at Lord's, a watershed moment for the women's game in England. He later returned to the county circuit, bringing his intense, detail-oriented philosophy to bear on the domestic men's game.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Mark was born in 1966, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Mark Was Born
The biggest hits of 1966
#1 Movie
The Bible: In the Beginning
Best Picture
A Man for All Seasons
#1 TV Show
Bonanza
Mark's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1966Born
Star Trek premieres on television
Gas: $0.32/galHome: $14,200Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"The Ballad of the Green Berets" — SSgt Barry SadlerBest Picture: A Man for All Seasons
1971Started school
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1979Became a teenager
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1982Could drive
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1984Could vote
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1987Turned 21
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1996Turned 30
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2006Turned 40
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2016Turned 50
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 60
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Coached the England women's cricket team to victory in the 2017 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup.
- Served as the head coach of Sussex County Cricket Club, guiding them to multiple limited-overs trophies earlier in his coaching career.
- Played a first-class cricket career spanning 16 years, taking over 500 wickets for Sussex and Northamptonshire.
Did You Know?
He was a talented footballer in his youth and had trials with professional clubs before focusing on cricket.
Robinson is a qualified electrician, a trade he trained in during the early stages of his cricket career.
He famously implemented a 'no-alcohol' policy during the 2017 World Cup campaign to maximize his team's focus.
“You build a team on discipline, honesty, and relentless preparation.”
