IT is now over 12 months and a full cricket season has passed by since James Hildreth retired from the first class game during which time he has set up his own business Hildreth Financial Management, writes Richard Walsh.

During his long and distinguished career ‘Hildy’ scored over 17000 first class runs which included a best of 303 not out and retired with an average of 40.46.

After 20 years of full time cricket how was he finding life in the outside world?

"I’m enjoying life working and everything is very positive at the moment. I am working with clients and have pretty well hit the targets on my business plan so yes Im happy with how things are working out.

Was it what Hildy expected it to be?

“Yes it was because I did a lot of research and chatted to people before I went into the business so I sort of knew what to expect. I was definitely ready to finish playing cricket.

“I like being in charge of my own diary and the flexibility it gives me so yes all is good with me. It's hard work but I don’t mind that at all.”

To find out more about Hildreth Financial Management get in contact with James by calling 07545 124 480, by emailing  james.hildreth@sjpp.co.uk or log onto www.hildrethfinancial.com

A full cricket season has now come and gone since Hildy retired, so did he find himself missing something that had become a way of life for him?

“I didn’t miss the cricket season when it started off at all. What with The 100  and the way the 50 over competition went I was ready to pack up a while before I finished. They just kept on knocking me down so I was ready to do something different 

“In fact I get more excited now when I see the fixtures coming out because I don’t have to be involved in it.

“I don’t have the emotions that I used to thinking about who we are playing and what are we doing and where are we going- its nice not to have that pressure.  To be honest I don’t miss it at all.

“Of course there are parts that I miss like going on free trips abroad or when you have a lot of time off and get paid for it, that’s obviously quite nice but I cant say I miss any of the playing side at all 

“The squad is already a lot different and there are a lot of guys who I see when I am coaching on the Academy staff as well, who I don’t know so its already a different place.”

However Hildy has kept links with Somerset as he spends four hours a week helping to coach the next generation of batters.

“I coach at the Academy every Wednesday evening working with the young batters for four hours. It’s been great to work with some of the talented young batters at the club- like Archie Vaughan, Thomas Rew and Bertie Michael,  I like it very much.

“It’s easy for me working back in that environment and seeing the next crop of players coming through. It makes me quite nostalgic when I think that I have been in that sports hall since I was 10 years old so it feels very comfortable. To be there coaching and wearing the Somerset gear- is nice for me to be able to do.

“I'm giving something back which is always a good feeling - which helps me to scratch the cricket itch."