The only criteria for selection is you have had to have seen the player live in any format or level of cricket!
Michael Atherton (captain) – Solid, tenacious, was a rock when we were a pretty poor side and was the one you always hoped was still in – someone says ‘we’ve lost a wicket’, you ask ‘who?’ and if it’s not Atherton, full relief. I’ve made him captain because of his cricket knowledge.
Alastair Cook – Witnessed his debut plus 1 at Mohali with the Addis Army. What a player and leader. Chiselled jaw to get Tractor excited (I think she still has his batting gloves from some foreign Test). Those buckets of runs in Australia – come back Chef, we need you still!
Marcus Trescothick – Always loved his positive scoring. Was the first opener I ever witnessed who didn’t spend a lot of time being a bit Boycottesque. Lovely smooth way of dispatching balls to the rope. Put pressure back on the bowlers.
Graham Thorpe – When the old prospectors were panhandling around the Surrey hills, they somehow managed to find this nugget. Brought a certain sexiness to the word ‘nurdle’. Loved him.
Joe Root – A fantastic player, and nearly as handsome as me! The elegance of his many off-side shots make me realise that I never really had it when I was younger after-all! I’m hoping he keeps the Test captaincy and gets true form back up to where it was, and better, and bats number 4!
Ben Stokes – What can we say about this man? He was already in my XI before the unimaginable heroics of this summer. Ben, I love you and I want you to have my children.
Andrew Flintoff – He was so full-hearted, and always able to make something happen, even when his body was failing him. That six in the stands which his dad dropped…Roy of the Rovers stuff.
Jack Russell (Wicket-keeper) – Quirky, extraordinary, brilliant keeper who could also be a very annoying batsman for the opponent. Paints a bit too…
Graeme Swann – Brilliant bowler who swept through many opponents. Great shame that he had to stop when he did. Despite his ill-timed retirement, he has to go in.
Jimmy Anderson – King of Swing, hero, skittler of convicts, and (with Broad), part of a really dynamic opening pair of quicks over the years. I can remember him signalling (on walking back to his mark) to StreetFly, other Addis, and me, where we were roasting near the sightscreen in Trinidad, with which way he was going to swing the next ball – had great fun with it.
John Snow – My first ever Test match was 1969 at Lords v West Indies. Aged 5 and a half. This man got wickets and I once saw him on a train. Stuck with me ever since, and he was a good bowler by all accounts It meant something to me, so he’s in!