The only criteria for selection is you have had to have seen the player live in any format or level of cricket!
Marcus Trescothick – Somerset boy, very basic technique but one of the few players who would get in all 3 formats of international cricket. Great shame his international career ended way too early
Graham Gooch – Stood up tall and took people on. Remodelled his game after a dodgy start. Was one of the few who took the great West Indies on. Also scored 2 tons for Sir Paul Gettys XI here at Wormsley after he retired from pro cricket.
David Gower – My early hero. I even permed my hair to look like him! The classiest batsman I have seen. Remember seeing him hit his first ball in test cricket for 4 and I was lucky enough to watch a lot of the 1985 series when he biffed the Aussies. Sheer class.
Allan Lamb – Great fighter. Another like Gooch who took the great Windies on. Scoring 3 tons in one series against them. And who can forget the 18 runs off the last over off Bruce Reid to win an ODI down under. My Slazenger V12 lasted me years so thanks for using one Lamby.
Kevin Pietersen – I had so many happy memories of some amazing innings all around the world. A fantastic talent, shame he didn’t help himself at times. I would have loved him to have played for another couple of years but all good things come to an end.
Ian Terrence Botham – Who else, after watching his early days down in Somerset, then watching his England debut in 1977 then onto his wonderful career at Somerset and England. So much pleasure with bat and ball but also his catching was out of this world at times. Shame he left Somerset in such an unhappy manner.
Ben Stokes – My modern day Botham. Lucky enough to his 250 at Cape Town and also to be at the World cup final this year. Also his innings this year with the support of Somersets Jack Leach. Hopefully we will get a few more years out of him.
Jack Russell (Wicket-keeper) – Even if he played for the oppo (Gloucestershire) I first came across Jack when he was 16 and playing club cricket in Bristol. A nutty character but the best hands as a keeper I have seen since good old Bob Taylor (who I nearly chose). I went for Jack as he was in your face and his famous innings with Athers in Joburg all those years ago.
Stuart Broad – Controversial choice but I have seen Stuey rip out sides in as devastating spells as well anyone over his career. Jo burg, Durban, The Oval, Trent Bridge. When he gets his dander up he would just rip through the worlds best. Shame his batting didn’t improve a bit but ive been lucky to see his best spells.
Oh Monty, Monty – I had to have a spinner and plumped for Monty. A very weird character but loved his cricket. Even for comedy value for his batting and fielding at times but when he gets a wicket he would just charge around wildly celebrating, he just loved playing cricket. Great shame he lost the plot cos he was good value watching.
Matthew Hoggard – Lovely bloke, nutty as a fruit cake and when it swung there was no one better. He just made me smile and when he got it right he was as good as anyone with the new ball.
So many others I could have chosen who have given me loads of pleasure over the years.
Im sure I will sit down later and say, bollocks I forgot him !!
Christmas well one and all and have a happy 20/20 and happier 100 !
Tremers