MY DREAM XI
Welcome to our expanded, illustrated presentation with statistical summaries of the selected players 7. Jonathan Wilson
1. Michael Vaughan
He would have to be my captain, I think his Test record as a batsman speaks for itself and he’s also one of the most successful England captains there has ever been. He’s got a great record and will make the perfect leader for this side – although we are not short of options!
2. Michael Di Venuto
I played with Michael at Derbyshire and at first-class level he just churned out century after century and was also a lovely bloke to go with it. And it gives me a useful left hand-right hand combination at the top of the order which is always a boost.
3. Joe Root
I don’t really need to make a comment on this do I? He’s been the No.1 Test batsman in the world so he’s right up there and he’s only a quarter of the way through his career. In ten years’ time when we look back on his career he is going to be remembered as one of the all-time greats.
4. Michael Clarke
I opened the batting with him for a few years out in Australia for a club team in Sydney. His Test record is amazing but he’s also probably one of the best captains Australia have ever had and his batting record is great, I learned a lot from him.
5. Darren Lehmann
Obviously I played with Darren at Yorkshire and roomed with him on some away trips which was an experience to say the least.‘Boof’ is one of the nicest guys in cricket and the most naturally talented batsman. He was a larger than life cricketer and very kind-hearted person, he really looked after me and a good man manage, too.
6. Ian Harvey
He played with me at Yorkshire and Derbyshire and he was just a freak. I don’t think I ever saw him practise or have a net but he was one of the best allrounders in the world. He also got his yorker right in the block hole, it was ridiculous. A great Bradford League cricketer over the years, he played possibly the single best league innings I have ever seen. He got 80-odd off 30 balls against East Bierley but he’s a consistent league player but only ever bats at No.7.
8. Simon Guy
This is a bit of a left-field choice because Jonny Bairstow is great but the best wicketkeeper I played with was Simon who used to play for Yorkshire. I would put him up on par with Jack Russell the way he stood up to the quicks, he was unlucky not to get more of a chance.
9. Darren Gough
I played with Darren throughout my Yorkshire career and he was my captain at one stage, he was very encouraging in the changing room and for me growing up, having seen him on the TV, he was someone I had always wanted to play with. I took a catch off his bowling, too. He had great banter and lifted everyone around the dressing room.
10. Ryan Sidebottom
I wanted to get a left-arm bowler in and he’s been the most consistent county performer for 20 years and also with England. He obviously helped England win the T20 World Cup. He brings something different and he’s someone you want on your side.
11. Matthew Hoggard
He was the King of Swing, I used to face him in the nets and the amount of swing he got was amazing and it was so late. I was not surprised with the Test wickets he got and he was very down to earth as a person, too, one of the very best swing bowlers England have had, worthy of comparison with James Anderson and Ian Botham.