Lancashire paceman James Anderson has been selected by fans in the all-time English cricket test side XI ahead of the country’s 1,000th match starting this week.
England’s leading wicket taker (with 540) Anderson, from Burnley, was voted for by cricket fans who were invited to pick their team from over 100 players ranging from W.G. Grace in the 1880s to current captain Joe Root.
In a survey completed by over 6,000 England cricket fans earlier this month and with some selections coming down to only three votes, the official nation’s best-ever England men’s Test XI, is:
- Alastair Cook
- Sir Leonard Hutton
- David Gower
- Kevin Pietersen
- Joe Root
- Sir Ian Botham
- Alan Knott (w)
- Graeme Swann
- Fred Trueman
- James Anderson
- Bob Willis
The team will be celebrated with a day of activity at Edgbaston on day three of the test against India on Friday. Selected players will be invited to a parade to thank the fans for their votes.
England test captain Root said: “To be selected in the best-ever England men’s Test XI side by cricket fans across the country is incredibly humbling.
“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.
“It’s great to see my current team-mates Alastair Cook and James Anderson be recognised for their contributions to England Test cricket too.”
ECB chief executive officer Tom Harrison added: “To be playing our 1000th men’s Test is a true testament to the enduring importance of Test cricket. It is the pinnacle for players and fans at home and abroad.
“This selection, chosen by England followers, has Test careers ranging from 1937 to the present day and encapsulates both the history of this great game and showcases the fine players we’ve produced in this country.”
Anderson is fifth in the all-time wicket takers list behind Australian paceman Glenn McGrath (563) and the trio of spinners who top the pile: Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan (800), Australian Shane Warne (708) and India’s Anil Kumble (619).
