LONDON: As England prepare for their 1,000th Test match on Wednesday against India, the ECB have announced the nation’s greatest ever Test side.
Over 6,000 English cricket fans voted and the team consists exclusively of Test legends, including three from the current squad ? James Anderson, Alastair Cook and Joe Root, an ICC report on Monday said.
England skipper Root was overwhelmed with his inclusion, saying: “To be selected in the best-ever England men’s Test XI side by cricket fans across the country is incredibe.”
“When I think of some of the incredible players who haven’t made the cut, legends of the game such as Denis Compton and Wally Hammond, I’m not sure I would have voted for myself, but I certainly want to thank the fans for thinking of me,” he said.
“It’s great to see my current team-mates Alastair Cook and James Anderson be recognised for their contributions to England Test cricket too,” Root added.
A modern great, Alastair Cook has played more matches (156) and scored more runs (12,145) than any other player in England’s history.First starting as Andrew Strauss who grew into a natural leader of the side for eight years, in which he also became England’s longest-serving captain. Longevity is reflected in Cook’s records and it best reflects his batting style – patient and determined, he is a model opening batsman, with an English record 32 centuries to his name.
Len Hutton’s 364 against Australia in 1938, coming in only his sixth Test match, marked him out as destined for greatness and he would go on to score 19 centuries across an 18-year career which spanned the Second World War. His record is made even more astonishing by the fact that during the war, he broke his arm so badly that he was forced to readjust his technique and use a shortened bat for the remainder of his career. (UNI)
