Introduction
Phillipe-Henri "Phil" Edmonds (born 8 March 1951) is an English former cricketer and successful, albeit controversial, corporate executive.
He was noted for his outspoken behaviour, and he could be "cussedly abrasive or engagingly charming, but he could never bring himself to conform to the fist-clenching, grim-faced trait of most professional sportsmen".
Early life and early career
Born to an English father and Belgian mother, Edmonds was educated at Gilbert Rennie High School in Lusaka, The Skinners' School and Cranbrook School in Kent, and Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge.
He was a successful slow left arm spin bowler for Cambridge University, Middlesex and England (for whom he played in fifty one Tests and twenty nine ODIs from 1975 to 1987). On his debut, he took five wickets in the first innings against Australia in Leeds in 1975.
County and international career
At county level, Edmonds' Middlesex career coincided with that of John Emburey. The left- and right-arm spin combination was a powerful contribution towards Middlesex's success in the 1980s. They also combined at England level, although the pair often competed for the same place in the Test team. He was a controversial cricketer and well known for his outspokenness which often got him into trouble. In 1984–85, England were playing India in Calcutta, and the hosts played at a snail's pace towards an inevitable draw. Edmonds, fielding at square leg, produced a copy of the Daily Telegraph and proceeded to read.
In 51 Test matches, Edmonds took 125 wickets at 34.18, with a batting average of 17.50.
Business career
Since retiring from cricket, Edmonds has enjoyed a successful career in business, serving as chairman of Middlesex Holdings, White Nile Petroleum Company and Middlesex County Cricket Club. As of July 2012, he had an estimated fortune of 14 million pounds.
Edmonds was also the chairman of Central African Mining & Exploration Company Plc, a company which was bought by ENRC in September 2009.
Global Witness has accused Edmonds of making "corrupt payments to senior officials to win mining rights". The Daily Mail has reported that a grand jury in Liberia indicted Groves in June 2016 in connection with the alleged bribery scandal.
Personal life
He is married to the author Frances Edmonds. They have a daughter.