Alastair Cook has been voted into the nation’s official best-ever England men’s team by cricket fans from across the country.
England will play their 1000th Test match this week when they face India at Edgbaston, and to celebrate this milestone, the ECB had been encouraging fans to vote in a survey and select their all-time greatest line-up.
The survey was shared via the We Are England social media channels and over 6,000 fans contributed, with some selections being decided by just three votes.
After two weeks of voting, the official nation’s best-ever England XI is:
Alastair Cook
Sir Leonard Hutton
David Gower
Kevin Pietersen
Joe Root
Sir Ian Botham
Alan Knott (WK)
Graeme Swann
Fred Trueman
James Anderson
Bob Willis
Cook has had a hugely successful Test career for England and holds numerous England Test cricket records, including England’s most capped player in Tests (156), England’s most capped Test captain (59), the most Test centuries for England (32) and the most Test runs for England (12,145).
Speaking about the poll, ECB Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison said:
“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.”
