The only criteria for selection is you have had to have seen the player live in any format or level of cricket!
This is an almost impossible task but I have picked players that I would happily watch all day, and then share a beer with after play which I have had the good fortune to do with several of them!
Graham Gooch – Improved with age and not only could he read the game situation incredibly well he was good enough to play in whatever way was needed. As a bonus was always the best ‘tache on the field too, except when playing against Merv Hughes.
Alistair Cook – To score that amount of runs when opening whilst always seemingly under pressure, especially for his captaincy, and to never appear bitter tells me all I need to know about him. Has also developed into a very good summariser, with a very dry humour too.
Graham Hick – When in full flow the most destructive batsman (batter!?) I have ever watched, and he hit the biggest 6 I’ve ever seen at Bendigo Vic.
Kevin Pietersen – 158 at The Oval, Sept 2005. That is all.
Robin Smith – Hit the ball harder than anyone, and he appeared to relish being up against a real quick.
Dermot Reeve – An effective all rounder and a tremendously innovative Captain, also a master at getting under the skin of the opposition, players and spectators. A player you would never want to play against. Was also good company for an evening.
Jack Russell – The best gloveman by far especially standing up. Often worth some quirky runs too.
Stuart Broad – Unstoppable when in full flow, and has changed the direction of many a match in the space of just a few overs.
Simon Jones – Brilliant when the ball was reversing, he was a natural ‘pick me up’ for all in crowd.
Devon Malcolm – Fearsome pace when in rhythm and always unpredictable with the bat. The depositing of Warne over cow at Adelaide was worth the entrance alone. No 10 and not 11, I here you say? Definitely!
Phil Tufnell – Flight and dip when at his best. Fodder when not. Always good value on and off the pitch and always a good word for the supporters. What you see is what you get with him, and it was always unpredictable.