As part of our ambition to make classic and vintage cricket shirts accessible, we’re shining a light on those that have helped preserve and curate some of the best cricket memorabilia throughout the years.
Step forward Manuel - aka @cricshirts - who invited us in and opened the lid on his 1,000+ strong collection. After picking out just some of his favourites, we shared a quick conversation on his 10 year journey as a collector, the holy grails and the ones that got away. Swipe to see more.
So Manuel, first things first, how long have you been collecting?
Well, I started collecting in 2016 after accidentally coming across one of the shirts that I really liked as a kid. And that kind of started the whole journey, so over 10 years now.
It was the South Africa Standard Bank spray paint shirt, as I like to call it, from the Standard Bank series.
How many shirts do you think you have?
I've lost count, but I definitely have more than a 1,000 shirts.
How do you source your shirts?
So a lot of them initially were your standard marketplaces like eBay, and then through that, I started connecting with other collectors who traded or sold to me. I connected with ex-players that I'd watched growing up, umpires, groundsmen from certain grounds that I cannot name. But basically, just expanded my network over time.
What's the shirt that's been the hardest to get hold of?
Initially it was the red South Africa ODI shirt from the World Series cricket tournament. It was the only time South Africa wore red. I remember I'd search for it for years but I couldn't find it…and then I found one in Singapore all places. I got in touch with an ex-colleague of mine who was from Singapore and had moved back there to bid on the shirt and luckily got it. So yeah, I've done all sorts in terms of sourcing shirts. A lot of the shirts are hard to come by, but I've been kind of persistent over these.
Can you name all the countries that you've sourced shirts from?
So Australia, New Zealand, India, Canada, even the US sometimes. The UK obviously, South Africa…they’re the main ones. Also UAE. I think there was someone in the UAE that was selling a lot. Singapore is the most random place though.
And you’ve told us you’re open to selling your collection, can we ask why?
I think it's ultimately downsizing. I've had the collection for 10 years which I’ve enjoyed and I think it's time for someone else to enjoy it now.
Have you noticed a growth in collectors or interest in classic cricket shirts?
There are a few more people, but I wouldn't say it's grown as fast as football shirts. A lot of modern kits are really bland and really sponsor heavy so there's no real appetite. I mean, there is an interest in it but obviously people don't know where to go and buy a classic shirt. Everything seems to be more “hush hush” in a way.
What shirt(s) are you most proud of owning?
So a lot of the shirts between 90s, 96 and 2000, which I watched growing up. The Titan Cup and Standard Bank Cup. Even the 1996 shirts. I think that's like the pinnacle of my collection - the World Cup 96 shirts, because watching them growing up and then actually owning it, holding it in your hand, it's a surreal experience.
And lastly, is there a shirt that you're still searching for?
Oh, yeah, India World Cup 96 and India Titan Cup. Those shirts are the hardest to come by because obviously a lot of the shirts have remained with the players or they are with collectors that specialise in India only collections. I never managed to get them in my collection. I did get a few India shirts like the Standard Bank series, including Tendulkar name & number set. But yeah, never those two.
