Playthrough - England in the 1990s... and beyond

Aislabie

Test Cricket is Best Cricket
Moderator
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PlanetCricket Award Winner
Joined
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Location
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:eng: England (0) vs (0) South Africa :saf: - Third Test at The Oval

England XI
:eng: :bat: Graham Gooch :c:
:eng: :bat: Alec Stewart
:eng: :bat: Michael Atherton
:eng: :bat: Robin Smith
:eng: :bat: Graeme Hick
:eng: :wk: Jack Russell
:eng: :ar: Chris Lewis
:eng: :bwl: Darren Gough
:eng: :bwl: Angus Fraser
:eng: :bwl: Phil Tufnell
:eng: :bwl: Devon Malcolm

South Africa XI
:saf: :bat: Peter Kirsten
:saf: :bat: Gary Kirsten
:saf: :bat: Hansie Cronje
:saf: :bat: Kepler Wessels :c:
:saf: :bat: Daryll Cullinan
:saf: :bat: Jonty Rhodes
:saf: :ar: Brian McMillan
:saf: :wk: David Richardson
:saf: :bwl: Craig Matthews
:saf: :bwl: Fanie de Villiers
:saf: :bwl: Allan Donald

- - -

South Africa win the toss and choose to bat

- - -

With only one Test left in the series, everything was on the line and both teams made changes to chase an elusive win. For England, that meant bringing in the extra pace of Devon Malcolm to try to take elusive wickets. For South Africa, that meant jettisoning Andrew Hutson to bring in the more dynamic Daryl Cullinan to bat in the middle order. The result was an all-Kirsten opening partnership, and one that would get second use of the Oval wicket after Wessels won his second toss of the series.

Kirsten and Kirsten started very well indeed, batting through almost two sessions for an impressive century partnership. It was not until Tufnell broke the partnership that England began to get a toehold in the game, but not until Gough and Malcolm made use of their extra pace with the second new ball that the Test match started to look like a contest between bat and ball. Indeed, Malcolm's recall to the Test side served exactly the purpose for which it was designed: he bowled a hostile spell of high pace and skill to tear out the South African middle-order: Cronje, Cullinan and Rhodes all fell in quick succession, soon to be followed by McMillan. Another Richardson rearguard threatened to occur, but was cut short by Tufnell's return to wicket-taking form. 336 all out was an excellent recovery after how the first two sessions had gone.

By the time England reached the tally raised by the South African openers, they had already lost their top four batsmen to the South African fast men - none for fewer than Stewart's 19, but none for more than Smith's 29. Thus, a century partnership between vice-captain Hick and Jack Russell was entirely welcome: the keeper made a typically nuggety 47, while Hick's century - his first in no less than two years of Test cricket - was also a very restrained and disciplined effort. The result of both contributions was that England remained in the game, a mere 25 runs behind South Africa.

In the third innings of the Test, it looked for some time as if the English bowlers had finally managed to turn the game and therefore the series firmly in England's favour: a trio of quick wickets between 60 and 80 brought to the crease the same batsmen that had been uprooted by the pace of Gough and Malcolm previously. However, any side that can boast McMillan and Richardson at eight and nine is one that will be an absolute ballache to bowl out in a hurry and so it proved: the 282 runs that South Africa were able to add to their lead were one thing, but the 99 overs they took out of the game while doing it were what really put the English batsmen in an uncomfortable position if they were to chase it down.

But you don't win five straight Test series without taking the odd risk, and Gooch made it clear by his aggressive early strokemaking that England were going for the win. He wasn't the man to get them there though, as he was dismissed by Craig Matthews for just 20. His replacement wasn't Mike Atherton as is usual, but the first-innings centurion: vice-captain Graeme Hick. With the support of a more restrained Smith, Hick made a fourth-innings century that was absolutely an example of his batting at its very best. They carried England most of the way to their target; by the time Hick left the batting crease, England needed less than 50 runs to win. The only problem was that Jack Russell was the last proper batsman left: Darren Gough isn't really a number eight.

He kept at it though, and with only ten minutes left in the day's play, England needed another 17 runs.

Matthews to Russell: 1 • 1 nb 1 • •. Only 13 to win now, and six minutes left in the day; that would be two overs.

Donald to Russell: 4 1 • nb • 1 1 A huge over for England: eight of the thirteen runs they needed. That left five runs off six balls.

Matthews to Russell: • • 4 1

What a hero. Jack Russell had seen England across the line to complete their sixth consecutive Test series win (and defend the unofficial Bannerman Shield).

1613338945869.png

I'm also adding a Player of the Season award in the style of the Allan Border Medal - the Barrington Medal.

Drawn or lost match
Best player - 3 points
2nd best player - 2 points
3rd best player - 1 point

Won match
Best player - 5 points
2nd best player - 3 points
3rd best player - 2 points
4th best player - 1 point

Standings
1. Mike Atherton - 9 points

2. Graham Gooch - 7 points
=3. Graeme Hick - 5 points (+5)
=3. Alec Stewart - 5 points
=3. Phil Tufnell - 5 points
=6. Jack Russell - 3 points (+3)
=6. Robin Smith - 3 points
=8. Angus Fraser - 2 points
=8. Darren Gough - 2 points (+1)
=8. Chris Lewis - 2 points
=8. Devon Malcolm - 2 points (+2)
12. Phillip DeFreitas - 1 point

And there we have it: he might not have been the hero at The Oval, but Michael Atherton's astonishing coming of age summer rightly wins him his first Barrington Medal.
 

Aislabie

Test Cricket is Best Cricket
Moderator
Ireland
PlanetCricket Award Winner
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Location
Derbyshire
World Test Rankings, as of 31 Aug 1994
Minumum qualification: 5 series

RankTeamRating
1:eng: England769
=2:wi: West Indies750
=2:pak: Pakistan750
4:saf: South Africa500
5:ind: India467
6:aus: Australia417
7:nzf: New Zealand231
8:sri: Sri Lanka167
-:zim: Zimbabwe125


Opp.HomeAway
:eng:L (1-0)L (3-2)
:ind:W (4-0)D (0-0
:nzf:W (2-0)D (1-1)
:pak:L (3-2)L (1-0)
:saf:--
:sri:W (1-0)W (1-0)
:wi:L (2-1)L (2-1)
:zim:--
Opp.HomeAway
:aus:W (3-2)W (1-0)
:ind:L (3-0)W (2-1)
:nzf:W (1-0)W (2-0)
:pak:W (1-0)L (1-0)
:saf:W (1-0)-
:sri:W (1-0)W (1-0)
:wi:L (2-1)W (2-1)
:zim:--
Opp.HomeAway
:aus:D (0-0)L (4-0)
:eng:L (2-1)W (3-0)
:nzf:W (2-1)D (0-0)
:pak:L (1-0)D (0-0)
:saf:D (1-1)D (1-1)
:sri:W (3-0)W (1-0)
:wi:D (1-1)L (3-0)
:zim:--
Opp.HomeAway
:aus:D (1-1)L (2-0)
:eng:L (2-0)L (1-0)
:ind:D (0-0)L (2-1)
:pak:L (2-1)L (3-0)
:saf:--
:sri:W (1-0)W (1-0)
:wi:D (1-1)L (2-0)
:zim:--
Opp.HomeAway
:aus:W (1-0)L (1-0)
:eng:W (1-0)W (3-2)
:ind:D (0-0)W (1-0)
:nzf:W (3-0)W (2-1)
:saf:--
:sri:W (1-0)W (2-0)
:wi:D (1-1)L (2-0)
:zim:--
Opp.HomeAway
:aus:D (1-1)D (1-1)
:eng:-L (1-0)
:ind:W (1-0)-
:nzf:--
:pak:--
:sri:-W (1-0)
:wi:-L (1-0)
:zim:--
Opp.HomeAway
:aus:L (1-0)L (1-0)
:eng:L (1-0)L (1-0)
:ind:L (1-0)L (3-0)
:nzf:W (1-0)D (0-0)
:pak:L (2-0)L (1-0)
:saf:L (1-0)-
:wi:D (0-)-
:zim:--
Opp.HomeAway
:aus:W (2-1)W (2-1)
:eng:L (2-1)W (2-1)
:ind:W (3-0)D (1-1)
:nzf:W (2-0)D (1-1)
:pak:W (2-0)D (1-1)
:saf:W (1-0)-
:sri:-D (0-0)
:zim:--
Opp.HomeAway
:aus:--
:eng:--
:ind:D (0-0)L (1-0)
:nzf:L (1-0)-
:pak:-L (2-0)
:saf:--
:sri:--
:wi:--

There it is! England are now officially the world's number one Test team

England are also still the Bannerman Shield holders
 
Last edited:

Aislabie

Test Cricket is Best Cricket
Moderator
Ireland
PlanetCricket Award Winner
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Location
Derbyshire
Records

Highest Innings Score
for :eng:
589 for 6 dec vs South Africa, Headingley 1994
vs :eng: 571 all out, Australia, Adelaide Oval 1991

Lowest Innings Score
for :eng:
122 all out vs New Zealand, Edgbaston 1990
vs :eng: 83 all out, West Indies, Queens Park Oval 1994

Highest Innings
for :eng:
294, Graham Gooch vs West Indies, The Oval 1991
vs :eng: 239*, Brian Lara, West Indies, Kensington Oval 1994

Best Innings Bowling
for :eng:
8 for 47, Peter Such vs India, Calcutta 1993
vs :eng: 7 for 66, Wasim Akram, Pakistan, Headingley 1992

Best Match Bowling
for :eng:
12 for 173, Phil Tufnell vs Sri Lanka, Colombo, 1993
vs :eng: 11 for 137, Wasim Akram, Pakistan, Headingley 1992

All-Time Record for Most Runs in a Series
1016 - Graham Gooch vs West Indies, 1991

Partnerships
1. 190 - Graham Gooch & Tim Robinson vs Australia :aus: 1991
2. 262 - Graham Gooch & Mike Atherton vs New Zealand :saf: 1994
3. 325 - Graham Gooch & Robin Smith vs West Indies :wi: 1991
4. 247 - Robin Smith & Graeme Hick vs Pakistan :pak: 1992
5. 176 - Graeme Hick & Jack Russell vs West Indies :wi: 1991
6. 137 - Mike Atherton & Chris Lewis vs South Africa :saf: 1994
7. 174 - Chris Lewis & Phillip DeFreitas vs Australia :aus: 1993
8. 54 - Chris Lewis & Andy Caddick vs Australia :aus: 1993
9. 69 - Gladstone Small & Angus Fraser vs Australia :aus: 1990
10. 61 - Graham Thorpe & Peter Such vs West Indies :wi: 1994

Honours Board
:bat:
:wi: vs :eng:, 1989-90
Graham Gooch - 112
Robin Smith - 101
Robin Smith - 112
Graham Gooch - 100

:eng: vs :nzf:, 1990
Graham Gooch - 127
Rob Bailey - 196

:eng: vs :ind:, 1990
none

:aus: vs :eng:, 1990-91
Robin Smith - 110
Graham Gooch - 170

:eng: vs :wi:, 1991
Robin Smith - 127
Graham Gooch - 175*
Graeme Hick - 108*

Graham Gooch - 165
Graham Gooch - 294
Robin Smith - 145


:eng: vs :sri:, 1991
Alec Stewart - 166
Graeme Hick - 100


:nzf: vs :eng:, 1991-92
Alec Stewart - 126*
Graham Gooch - 124
Graeme Hick - 107


:eng: vs :pak:, 1992
Graham Gooch - 103
Robin Smith - 132
Graeme Hick - 147

Graham Gooch - 150*

:ind: vs :eng:, 1992-93
Graham Gooch - 132
Alec Stewart - 151*

Mike Atherton - 147
Robin Smith - 137


:sri: vs :eng:, 1992-93
Alec Stewart - 137
Robin Smith - 102*


:eng: vs :aus:, 1993
Alec Stewart - 132
Alec Stewart - 111
Graham Gooch - 139
Chris Lewis - 114*

:wi: vs :eng:, 1993-94
Graham Gooch - 143
Alec Stewart - 156
Graham Gooch - 167
Mike Atherton - 127
Graham Thorpe - 111


:eng: vs :nzf:, 1994
Mike Atherton - 117
Alec Stewart - 132
Mike Atherton - 105

Robin Smith - 191

:eng: vs :saf:, 1994
Graham Gooch - 241
Graham Gooch - 175
Mike Atherton - 242

Graeme Hick - 101
Graeme Hick - 131


:bwl:
:wi: vs :eng:, 1989-90
Angus Fraser - 5 for 47
Gladstone Small - 5 for 72

Chris Lewis - 6 for 70

:eng: vs :nzf:, 1990
none

:eng: vs :ind:, 1990
Phil Tufnell - 5 for 116
Phil Tufnell - 5 for 72


:aus: vs :eng:, 1990-91
Angus Fraser - 5 for 116
Devon Malcolm - 6 for 75

:eng: vs :wi:, 1991
Steve Watkin - 5 for 56
Phil Tufnell - 5 for 138
Devon Malcolm - 5 for 47
Angus Fraser - 5 for 86

:eng: vs :sri:, 1991
none

:nzf: vs :eng:, 1991-92
Angus Fraser - 5 for 51
Phil Tufnell - 7 for 57

:eng: vs :pak:, 1992
Phil Tufnell - 5 for 100
Phil Tufnell - 5 for 31
Phil Tufnell - 5 for 45


:ind: vs :eng:, 1992-93
Phil Tufnell - 8 for 114
Peter Such - 8 for 47

Phil Tufnell - 5 for 72
Phil Tufnell - 6 for 167

Phil Tufnell - 7 for 171

:sri: vs :eng:, 1992-93
Phil Tufnell - 6 for 102
Phil Tufnell - 6 for 71


:eng: vs :aus:, 1993
Phil Tufnell - 7 for 105
Phillip DeFreitas - 5 for 19
Phillip DeFreitas - 5 for 62


:wi: vs :eng:, 1993-94
Phil Tufnell - 5 for 141
Peter Such - 6 for 119
Angus Fraser - 5 for 21
Phillip DeFreitas - 5 for 98

:eng: vs :nzf:, 1994
Darren Gough - 5 for 50
Phillip DeFreitas - Hattrick
Phil Tufnell - 5 for 71


:eng: vs :saf:, 1994
Phil Tufnell - 7 for 124
Phil Tufnell - 6 for 117
Career Statistics
Includes all players who debuted before 1990 and played from that date onwards either in real life or in this universe.


Cap Numbers
Player#DebutLast Test
:eng: :bat: Graham Gooch461:eng: v :aus: (1), 1975:eng: v :saf: (3), 1994
:eng: :ar: Ian Botham474:eng: v :aus: (3), 1977:eng: v :ind: (3), 1990
:eng: :bat: Mike Gatting477:pak: v :eng: (3), 1977-78:ind: v :eng: (2), 1992-93
:eng: :bat: David Gower479:eng: v :pak: (1), 1978:eng: v :wi: (2), 1991
:eng: :ar: John Emburey480:eng: v :nzf: (3), 1978:eng: v :aus: (4), 1989
:eng: :bat: Wayne Larkins484:aus: v :eng: (3), 1979-80:eng: v :ind: (1), 1990
:eng: :bat: Allan Lamb494:eng: v :ind: (1), 1982:wi: v :eng: (4), 1989-90
:eng: :ar: Derek Pringle495:eng: v :ind: (1), 1982:eng: v :aus: (6), 1989
:eng: :bwl: Eddie Hemmings497:eng: v :pak: (1), 1982:wi: v :eng: (5), 1989-90
:eng: :bwl: Neil Foster502:eng: v :nzf: (3), 1983:eng: v :pak: (1), 1992
:eng: :bat: Tim Robinson511:ind: v :eng: (1), 1984:eng: v :wi: (5), 1991
:eng: :bwl: Gladstone Small521:eng: v :nzf: (2), 1986:eng: v :sri:, 1991
:eng: :ar: Phillip DeFreitas522:aus: v :eng: (1), 1986-87:eng: v :saf: (2), 1994
:eng: :bat: Neil Fairbrother525:eng: v :pak: (1), 1987:nzf: v :eng: (3), 1987-88
:eng: :ar: David Capel526:eng: v :pak: (3), 1987:eng: v :aus: (6), 1989
:eng: :bwl: Paul Jarvis527:nzf: v :eng: (1), 1987-88:eng: v :pak: (5), 1992
:eng: :bat: Robin Smith530:eng: v :wi: (4), 1988:eng: v :saf: (3), 1994
:eng: :bat: Rob Bailey531:eng: v :wi: (5), 1988:eng: v :wi: (4), 1991
:eng: :bat: Matt Maynard532:eng: v :wi: (5), 1988only Test
:eng: :bwl: Syd Lawrence534:eng: v :sri:, 1988:eng: v :sri:, 1991
:eng: :bwl: Phil Newport535:eng: v :sri:, 1988:eng: v :aus: (1), 1989
:eng: :wk: Jack Russell536:eng: v :sri:, 1988:eng: v :saf: (3), 1994
:eng: :bwl: Angus Fraser537:eng: v :aus: (3), 1989:eng: v :saf: (3), 1994
:eng: :bat: Mike Atherton538:eng: v :aus: (5), 1989:eng: v :saf: (3), 1994
:eng: :bwl: Devon Malcolm539:eng: v :aus: (5), 1989:eng: v :saf: (3), 1994
:eng: :bwl: Alan Igglesden540:eng: v :aus: (6), 1989only Test
- - - - - - - - - -- - -- - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - -
:eng: :bat: Alec Stewart542:wi: v :eng: (1), 1989-90:eng: v :saf: (3), 1994
:eng: :bwl: Phil Tufnell543:wi: v :eng: (1), 1989-90:eng: v :saf: (3), 1994
:eng: :ar: Chris Lewis544:wi: v :eng: (4), 1989-90:eng: v :saf: (3), 1994
:eng: :bat: Graeme Hick545:wi: v :eng: (5), 1989-90:eng: v :saf: (3), 1994
:eng: :bwl: Martin Bicknell546:eng: v :ind: (3), 1990:nzf: v :eng: (4), 1991-92
:eng: :bwl: Steve Watkin547:eng: v :wi: (1), 1991:eng: v :wi: (2), 1991
:eng: :bwl: Peter Such548:eng: v :wi: (3), 1991:wi: v :eng: (5), 1993-94
:eng: :bwl: Ian Salisbury549:ind: v :eng: (1), 1992-93only Test
:eng: :bat: Mark Ramprakash550:ind: v :eng: (2), 1992-93:wi: v :eng: (5), 1993-94
:eng: :ar: Dermot Reeve551:ind: v :eng: (3), 1992-93only Test
:eng: :bwl: Andy Caddick552:eng: v :aus: (2), 1993:eng: v :nzf: (1), 1994
:eng: :bat: Nasser Hussain553:eng: v :aus: (3), 1993:eng: v :nzf: (3), 1994
:eng: :bwl: Mark Ilott554:wi: v :eng: (4), 1993-94only Test
:eng: :bat: Graham Thorpe555:wi: v :eng: (4), 1993-94:eng: v :nzf: (2), 1994
:eng: :bwl: Darren Gough556:eng: v :nzf: (1), 1994:eng: v :saf: (3), 1994
:eng: :ar: Dominic Cork557:eng: v :nzf: (2), 1994only Test
:eng: :wk: Richard Blakey558:eng: v :nzf: (3), 1994only Test

Captains
PlayerMatWDLFirstLast
:eng: :bat: Graham Gooch50211316:eng: v :wi: (5), 1988:eng: v :saf: (3), 1994
:eng: :bat: Graeme Hick2110:ind: v :eng: (2), 1992-93:eng: v :nzf: (3), 1994

Batting & Fielding
PlayerMatInnNORunsAvg100s50sBestCtSt
:eng: :bat: Mike Atherton :slvo:31583248645.2051224211-
:eng: :bat: Rob Bailey1528181530.191219615-
:eng: :bwl: Martin Bicknell4406516.25--482-
:eng: :wk: Richard Blakey1205829.00--291-
:eng: :ar: Ian Botham (RET)1081767565633.471425208135-
:eng: :bwl: Andy Caddick814216613.83--37*--
:eng: :ar: David Capel (RET)1118029316.27-2984-
:eng: :ar: Dominic Cork1102222.00--22--
:eng: :ar: Phillip DeFreitas :slvo::slvo:2946568016.59-1826-
:eng: :ar: John Emburey (RET)608918154021.49-87533-
:eng: :bat: Neil Fairbrother44051.25--33-
:eng: :bwl: Neil Foster (RET)39601260012.50--42*13-
:eng: :bwl: Angus Fraser4462953110.02--347-
:eng: :bat: Mike Gatting7012114403737.7391920753-
:eng: :bat: Graham Gooch :slvo::slvo::slvo:12122481007346.632455294135-
:eng: :bwl: Darren Gough6937712.83--35*--
:eng: :bat: David Gower (RET)12421517850642.96154721575-
:eng: :bwl: Eddie Hemmings (RET)1319333220.75-1954-
:eng: :bat: Graeme Hick34624242043.4561314756-
:eng: :bat: Nasser Hussain47012417.71--338-
:eng: :bwl: Alan Igglesden1112---2*1-
:eng: :bwl: Mark Ilott12226---25*--
:eng: :bwl: Paul Jarvis1015418917.18--35*1-
:eng: :bat: Allan Lamb (RET)601059322433.58912137*53-
:eng: :bat: Wayne Larkins (RET)1019034818.31--435-
:eng: :bwl: Syd Lawrence22063.00--4--
:eng: :ar: Chris Lewis40649140725.5814114*36-
:eng: :bwl: Devon Malcolm2636101776.81--14*7-
:eng: :bat: Matt Maynard120136.50--10--
:eng: :bwl: Phil Newport2307023.33--361-
:eng: :ar: Derek Pringle2136351215.51-2667-
:eng: :bat: Mark Ramprakash815148834.86-576*--
:eng: :ar: Dermot Reeve120126.00--6--
:eng: :bat: Tim Robinson :slvo:41716236236.3341217514-
:eng: :wk: Jack Russell569621248633.15113128*15412
:eng: :bwl: Ian Salisbury1102121.00--21--
:eng: :bwl: Gladstone Small2026738220.10-2592-
:eng: :bat: Robin Smith :slvo:551028442747.10112414519-
:eng: :bat: Alec Stewart30583245144.568716610-
:eng: :bwl: Peter Such10135455.63--14*4-
:eng: :bat: Graham Thorpe48037546.87113-
:eng: :bwl: Phil Tufnell :slvo::slvo:4251132135.61--3610-
:eng: :bwl: Steve Watkin2405513.75--27--

Bowling
PlayerMatOvrRunsWktsAvgEcon5WI10WMBest
:eng: :bat: Mike Atherton :slvo:31953961039.604.2--3/32
:eng: :bat: Rob Bailey1543175287.504.1--1/0
:eng: :bwl: Martin Bicknell41914691142.632.5--3/72
:eng: :wk: Richard Blakey1--------
:eng: :ar: Ian Botham (RET)10837791122340028.133.02748/34
:eng: :bwl: Andy Caddick83298752141.672.7--4/71
:eng: :ar: David Capel112096281252.333.0--2/13
:eng: :ar: Dominic Cork152147436.752.8--3/80
:eng: :ar: Phillip DeFreitas :slvo::slvo:29106329478136.382.8415/19
:eng: :ar: John Emburey602371510513836.992.16-7/78
:eng: :bat: Neil Fairbrother4290-4.5---
:eng: :bwl: Neil Foster391451390211533.932.7518/107
:eng: :bwl: Angus Fraser441827440213133.602.44-5/21
:eng: :bat: Mike Gatting70125317479.252.5--1/14
:eng: :bat: Graham Gooch :slvo::slvo::slvo:1213067401743.532.4--2/12
:eng: :bwl: Darren Gough62596171834.282.41-5/50
:eng: :bat: David Gower (RET)124620120.003.3--1/1
:eng: :bwl: Eddie Hemmings1351314543146.902.8--4/90
:eng: :bat: Graeme Hick3461229638.173.8--3/38
:eng: :bat: Nasser Hussain4--------
:eng: :bwl: Alan Igglesden137146348.673.9--2/91
:eng: :bwl: Mark Ilott1381271127.003.3--1/106
:eng: :bwl: Paul Jarvis1035910692641.123.0--4/50
:eng: :bat: Allan Lamb (RET)60523123.004.6--1/6
:eng: :bat: Wayne Larkins (RET)10--------
:eng: :bwl: Syd Lawrence268223455.753.3--2/74
:eng: :ar: Chris Lewis40119132088836.452.71-6/70
:eng: :bwl: Devon Malcolm2693129949431.853.22-6/75
:eng: :bat: Matt Maynard1--------
:eng: :bwl: Phil Newport292339937.663.7--4/87
:eng: :ar: Derek Pringle2162518074837.642.92-5/95
:eng: :bat: Mark Ramprakash8120-2.0---
:eng: :ar: Dermot Reeve114390-2.8---
:eng: :bat: Tim Robinson :slvo:41100-0.0---
:eng: :wk: Jack Russell56--------
:eng: :bwl: Ian Salisbury113760-5.9---
:eng: :bwl: Gladstone Small2078419806033.002.53-5/48
:eng: :bat: Robin Smith :slvo:55--------
:eng: :bat: Alec Stewart30--------
:eng: :bwl: Peter Such1048614424830.043.02-8/47
:eng: :bat: Graham Thorpe4--------
:eng: :bwl: Phil Tufnell :slvo::slvo:422040578420927.672.81858/114
:eng: :bwl: Steve Watkin264223544.603.51-5/56

Stats and records updated; one thing that's becoming obvious is that we are rather batting-heavy. Not sure if that's an accident of the Cricket Captain match engine, or if it's my own play style
 

Aislabie

Test Cricket is Best Cricket
Moderator
Ireland
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Location
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England Tour of Australia, 1994-95

Itinerary

25 Nov 94 - :aus: Australia vs England :eng: - First Test at The Gabba - England won by 161 runs
24 Dec 94 - :aus: Australia vs England :eng: - Second Test at The MCG - Match drawn
01 Jan 95 - :aus: Australia vs England :eng: - Third Test at The SCG - Match drawn
26 Jan 95 - :aus: Australia vs England :eng: - Fourth Test at Adelaide Oval - Match drawn
03 Feb 95 - :aus: Australia vs England :eng: - Fifth Test at The WACA - Match tied

England Squad

:eng: :bat: Graham Gooch :slvo::slvo::slvo: :c:

:eng: :bat: Mike Atherton :slvo:
:eng: :bat: Graeme Hick
:eng: :bat: Mark Ramprakash
:eng: :bat: Robin Smith :slvo:
:eng: :bat: Alec Stewart
:eng: :bat: Graham Thorpe

:eng: :wk: Richard Blakey
:eng: :wk: Jack Russell

:eng: :ar: Chris Lewis

:eng: :ar: Glen Chapple :redo:
:eng: :ar: Dominic Cork
:eng: :ar: Phillip DeFreitas :slvo::slvo:
:eng: :bwl: Angus Fraser
:eng: :bwl: Darren Gough
:eng: :bwl: Devon Malcolm

:eng: :bwl: Peter Such
:eng: :bwl: Phil Tufnell :slvo::slvo:

With the England side being very settled, and having won six series on the bounce, there aren't all that many changes to be made at present. Indeed, the only one of note is the inclusion of the uncapped Glen Chapple, who recently completed a breakout 55-wicket season for Lancashire; he is included in place of Craig White as the selectors have decided that Chris Lewis continues to do an adequate job as an all-rounder batting at seven. There is not and never will be room for Steve Rhodes, with Jack Russell retaining his place and Richard Blakey as his understudy. (I've got no idea if Russell was injured at this point in real life or if the selectors were just being weird, but we're probably looking at a pretty linear Russell-Foster-Read-Prior-Foakes continuum for England keepers)

Graham Gooch, who has now led England in more Tests than anyone else, has also confirmed that he will be stepping down from the captaincy at the end of the Ashes, and from the Test team entirely at the end of the West Indies series. He has been an outstanding servant to English cricket.
 
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Aislabie

Test Cricket is Best Cricket
Moderator
Ireland
PlanetCricket Award Winner
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Location
Derbyshire
:aus: Australia vs England :eng: - First Test at The Gabba

Australia XI
:aus: :bat: Michael Slater
:aus: :bat: Mark Taylor :c:
:aus: :bat: David Boon
:aus: :bat: Mark Waugh
:aus: :bat: Michael Bevan
:aus: :bat: Steve Waugh
:aus: :wk: Ian Healy
:aus: :bwl: Shane Warne
:aus: :bwl: Craig McDermott
:aus: :bwl: Tim May
:aus: :bwl: Glenn McGrath

England XI
:eng: :bat: Graham Gooch :c:
:eng: :bat: Alec Stewart
:eng: :bat: Michael Atherton
:eng: :bat: Robin Smith
:eng: :bat: Graeme Hick
:eng: :wk: Jack Russell
:eng: :ar: Chris Lewis
:eng: :ar: Dominic Cork
:eng: :bwl: Darren Gough
:eng: :bwl: Angus Fraser
:eng: :bwl: Phil Tufnell

- - -

England win the toss and choose to bat

- - -

The greatest Test series in the world is back: it's The Ashes, and it looks like it's going to be an intriguing one. Australia are languishing at sixth in the world, but most definitely on the way up with a clutch of world class players in their ranks. England, meanwhile, are on top of the world: winners of their last six Test series and captained by the most successful leader in their history. Who are the favourites? Absolutely no idea, but England got their first toehold by winning the toss and batting.

Two overs into the Test match though, Australia were right on top: with only one run on the board, England had lost two wickets in the form of Gooch and Atherton. But if there's one thing that this English team prides itself on, it's fighting spirit - and few moreso than Robin Smith, who fought his way back into the first-choice Test XI, and his first-choice batting position, with a monolithic century. That was his approach on the first day of the Ashes as well, as he compiled a near-faultless 106 before being the sixth man out. Chris Lewis then added an excellently combative 47 in order to ensure that England batted into the second day, and at least got past the 250 mark before losing their tenth and final wicket.

It wasn't much, but it was something for their bowlers to work with. Despite the classically Australian conditions, the first man to take a wicket was the world-class Tufnell, dispatching with the Australian captain in the final over before lunch. This cracked the door open for Gough and Fraser to each claim promising wickets, but that was the end of the good news for England for the better part of a day: David Boon ground out a typically pugilistic 95 while Michael Bevan breezed his way to a commanding maiden Test century. How could England fight their way back into the game? By throwing the ball to Gough and Tufnell of course. After the Yorkshire fast man removed Boon and Waugh in the space of an over, Tufnell then mopped up the tail-enders who looked bemused by his spinning skills.

The key thing for England was to get past the Australians' 88-run advantage for the loss of minimal wickets. In this case, it was two wickets: Gooch and Atherton again. And, like the fist innings, Stewart and Smith were the class of the English batting. This time, Smith fell short of a century while second-innings specialist Stewart converted; the Surrey man kept on going to post an outstanding 159. Again, Chris Lewis then added the finishing touches to the English second innings, this time with an unbeaten 59 to guide England to exactly 400 before declaring.

Though all results were theoretically possible, the excellent Angus Fraser quickly pushed an Australian win out of reach. Though it likely won't make the headlines, he bowled 21 overs on day five, leaking only 26 runs and claiming the key wicket of Boon. A heroic performance by any measure, but one that was put into the shade by his county colleague Tufnell who added another five Australian wickets to his growing collection. Finally, when the tailenders arrived to try to save the game, they fell to the joint skills of Cork and Lewis. An excellent win from the English team.

1613697867307.png

I'm also adding a Player of the Season award in the style of the Allan Border Medal - the Barrington Medal.

Drawn or lost match
Best player - 3 points
2nd best player - 2 points
3rd best player - 1 point

Won match
Best player - 5 points
2nd best player - 3 points
3rd best player - 2 points
4th best player - 1 point

Standings
1. Alec Stewart - 5 points (+5)
2. Phil Tufnell - 3 points (+3)
3. Robin Smith - 2 points (+2)
4. Chris Lewis - 1 point (+1)
 

Aislabie

Test Cricket is Best Cricket
Moderator
Ireland
PlanetCricket Award Winner
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Location
Derbyshire
:aus: Australia (0) vs (1) England :eng: - Second Test at The MCG

Australia XI
:aus: :bat: Michael Slater
:aus: :bat: Mark Taylor :c:
:aus: :bat: David Boon
:aus: :bat: Mark Waugh
:aus: :bat: Michael Bevan
:aus: :bat: Steve Waugh
:aus: :wk: Ian Healy
:aus: :bwl: Shane Warne
:aus: :bwl: Craig McDermott
:aus: :bwl: Tim May
:aus: :bwl: Damien Fleming

England XI
:eng: :bat: Graham Gooch :c:
:eng: :bat: Alec Stewart
:eng: :bat: Michael Atherton
:eng: :bat: Robin Smith
:eng: :bat: Graeme Hick
:eng: :bat: Graham Thorpe
:eng: :ar: Chris Lewis
:eng: :wk: Jack Russell
:eng: :bwl: Darren Gough
:eng: :bwl: Angus Fraser
:eng: :bwl: Phil Tufnell

- - -

England win the toss and choose to bat

- - -

Having taken the all-important lead in the Test series, England arrived at the MCG with a side designed to defend that lead: with a Melbourne road predicted, they chose to bolster their batting stocks by picking Graham Thorpe in place of Dominic Cork. Surprisingly, this pushes Jack Russell down to number eight in the batting order - a possible sign that his grip on the keeper-batsman's position has loosened in the last year or so. As for Australia, they stuck to their two-seam, two-spin attack, but with a personnel change as they recalled Damien Fleming. Gooch's second straight won toss was exceedingly handy then, denying the Australians final use of the wicket.

Fast forward a day and a half, and the England captain must have been thanking everyone who argued in favour of Thorpe's inclusion. The extra batting option that it afforded was crucial, allowing for a 130-run seventh-wicket partnership between Robin Smith (who made his second century of the series) and Jack Russell (who seemed more comfortable without the pressure to be a functioning member of the top six). Although 356 isn't the ideal first innings score, it is a very good result for a team that was five wickets down before any of their batsmen passed fifty.

With a middling total behind them, the English bowlers - one fewer in number than usual - remained disciplined. Both Gough and Fraser conceded comfortably less than two runs per over across marathon bowling efforts, while Chris Lewis and Phil Tufnell shared seven wickets. Even the part-time spinners Hick and Atherton, their roles far greater than usual due to the personnel deficit in the bowling department, did their part with a wicket each from a combined 17 overs of bowling. Of course, none of this stopped David Boon from making an excellent century, but it did stop his batting colleagues from being able to make meaningful contributions around him. As a result, it also stopped Australia from getting ahead in the game.

For the first time in the series, the England openers both made runs: for Stewart, it was a second century of the series to draw back level with Robin Smith; for Gooch, it was a more modest half-century - the first one of his final series as England Test captain. Somewhat surprisingly, Gooch opted to declare England's innings at lunch on the fifth day: not that they weren't ahead in the game (especially thanks to Taylor's weird reluctance to bowl Tim May very much), but 321 from the final two sessions could be a tempting target for a home side already one-down in the series.

Any such fears were unfounded though, as the Australians showed no interest in going for the runs. The conditions offered England little actual chance to take wickets, so they mostly just gave their bowlers a rest and let the part-timers have a bowl. A bit of a naff way to finish a Test match, but England retained their series lead and earned the opportunity to retain The Ashes at the SCG.

1613700123538.png

I'm also adding a Player of the Season award in the style of the Allan Border Medal - the Barrington Medal.

Drawn or lost match
Best player - 3 points
2nd best player - 2 points
3rd best player - 1 point

Won match
Best player - 5 points
2nd best player - 3 points
3rd best player - 2 points
4th best player - 1 point

Standings
1. Alec Stewart - 7 points (+2)
2. Robin Smith - 5 points (+3)
3. Phil Tufnell - 4 points (+1)
4. Chris Lewis - 1 point
 

Aislabie

Test Cricket is Best Cricket
Moderator
Ireland
PlanetCricket Award Winner
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Location
Derbyshire
:aus: Australia (0) vs (1) England :eng: - Third Test at The SCG

Australia XI
:aus: :bat: Michael Slater
:aus: :bat: Mark Taylor :c:
:aus: :bat: David Boon
:aus: :bat: Mark Waugh
:aus: :bat: Michael Bevan
:aus: :bat: Steve Waugh
:aus: :wk: Ian Healy
:aus: :bwl: Shane Warne
:aus: :bwl: Craig McDermott
:aus: :bwl: Tim May
:aus: :bwl: Damien Fleming

England XI
:eng: :bat: Graham Gooch :c:
:eng: :bat: Alec Stewart
:eng: :bat: Michael Atherton
:eng: :bat: Robin Smith
:eng: :bat: Graeme Hick
:eng: :bat: Graham Thorpe
:eng: :ar: Chris Lewis
:eng: :wk: Jack Russell
:eng: :ar: Dominic Cork
:eng: :bwl: Phil Tufnell
:eng: :bwl: Devon Malcolm

- - -

Australia win the toss and choose to bat

- - -

Despite the Australians being one down in the series, it was England who opted to make changes for the Third Test. They opted to rest their two main seamers to keep them fit and functioning for the rest of the series, while retaining Thorpe for another game despite the fact that it left the bowling attack a man down. Clearly, the priority was making sure that England put enough runs on the board to make sure they weren't at risk of losing the game.

This strategy immediately backfired though when Australia won the toss and chose to bat first against a fast bowling attack of Malcolm, Cork and Lewis. It was not pretty for England, but they kept plugging away and - thanks in no small part to a lot of overs from Phil Tufnell - kept Australia to under 400. The main contributors to that were Michael Slater and the Marks - Taylor and Waugh. But, like an ingrown toenail, the English bowlers (again, Tufnell mostly) refused to go away. Some of them might be needing a bit of a rest after this though.

But with the bowling out of the way, England were able to put their feet up and let their gameplan do its job. And so it did, very well indeed: after a 92-run opening stand in which Gooch and Stewart both contrived not quite to post half-centuries, the number three and four combination of Atherton and Smith absolutely delivered. Atherton converted his first double-figure score of the series into a sparkling (but slow) 157 not out, while Smith made his third Ashes century in as many Tests. Not to be outdone, Chris Lewis also added another excellent innings, this time of 66 before becoming the only wicket to fall to a bowler other than the surely exhausted Craig McDermott. Rather than batting on, Gooch opted to call his batsmen in with a first-innings lead of 100, and 40 minutes of cricket left in the day.

England used those 40 minutes pretty well, with Cork claiming the wicket of Michael Slater to give a slight possibility of pushing for a win on the fifth day. Boon and Taylor's resolutely wide bats and physiques quickly put paid to such a silly notion. After what must have been a hearty lunch and a short debate about the merits of declaration bowling, England went back out and gave their seamers one final burst before turning to spin. It didn't even go that badly - Tufnell and Hick shared four wickets before Australia declared,

Rather than just shaking hands, Gooch opted to go back out and bat for a little bit to really try and wear out the Aussies. But a draw is a draw is a draw.

1613701518871.png

I'm also adding a Player of the Season award in the style of the Allan Border Medal - the Barrington Medal.

Drawn or lost match
Best player - 3 points
2nd best player - 2 points
3rd best player - 1 point

Won match
Best player - 5 points
2nd best player - 3 points
3rd best player - 2 points
4th best player - 1 point

Standings
=1. Robin Smith - 7 points (+2)
=1. Alec Stewart - 7 points
3. Phil Tufnell - 4 points
4. Michael Atherton - 3 points (+3)
5. Chris Lewis - 2 points (+1)
 

Aislabie

Test Cricket is Best Cricket
Moderator
Ireland
PlanetCricket Award Winner
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Location
Derbyshire
:aus: Australia (0) vs (1) England :eng: - Fourth Test at Adelaide Oval

Australia XI
:aus: :bat: Michael Slater
:aus: :bat: Mark Taylor :c:
:aus: :bat: David Boon
:aus: :bat: Mark Waugh
:aus: :bat: Steve Waugh
:aus: :bat: Greg Blewett
:aus: :wk: Ian Healy
:aus: :bwl: Shane Warne
:aus: :bwl: Craig McDermott
:aus: :bwl: Peter McIntyre
:aus: :bwl: Damien Fleming

England XI
:eng: :bat: Graham Gooch :c:
:eng: :bat: Alec Stewart
:eng: :bat: Michael Atherton
:eng: :bat: Robin Smith
:eng: :bat: Graeme Hick
:eng: :bat: Graham Thorpe
:eng: :wk: Jack Russell
:eng: :ar: Glen Chapple (debut)
:eng: :bwl: Darren Gough
:eng: :bwl: Angus Fraser
:eng: :bwl: Peter Such

- - -

Australia win the toss and choose to bat

- - -

Coming into the Fourth Test one-nil up is not the time when you would expect a team to change their entire bowling attack, but that was exactly the option chosen by England captain Graham Gooch. He described it as "the sensible thing to do" as both Fraser and Gough came back from having been rested. Tufnell, however, had wheeled through over 200 overs in the three Test matches, and was granted a rest ahead of the fifth game, while Chris Lewis' contributions with bat and ball had left him rather fatigued - in his place comes debutant Glen Chapple. Australia too made a couple of changes, but meh - this story isn't about them.

Again the Australians won the toss and chose to bat, but this time they were up against Gough and Fraser. All the more surprising then that Glen Chapple was thrown the new ball and given a three-over burst, a decision presumably made to help him settle into Test cricket before he had too much time to think about it. As has been the way before, Angus Fraser proved outstanding with the new ball, pounding through ten overs on his way to a pleasing haul of two for 15. But that would be it for him as a muscular injury left him unable to bowl again before lunch on the first day. And that, kids, is why a fifth bowler is always handy - some loose bowling from Gough left the debutant as the only seamer left who was both fit and firing. It didn't help either that Peter Such, while good, was no Phil Tufnell; Australia were able to rack up their highest score of the series.

At least the loss of Fraser wouldn't affect the batting all that much: yet another century opening stand set the tone, both Gooch and Stewart looking completely untroubled for nearly four hours. Trust Shane Warne to make something happen though, as one ball spun out of nowhere to get Stewart caught at slip. It was only one ball though: by the end of the third day's cricket, England were past the follow-on mark for the loss of only one wicket, and the excellent Gooch found similarly adhesive support from Atherton. The second man to fall was the England captain for his however-manyth Test double-century. How demoralising it must have been for the Australians to see Robin Smith walk out to replace him. For once, the number four failed, but the damage was already done. 540 for eight declared was the final tally.

Yeah, it was another draw, but it was a draw that meant England retained the Ashes.

1613702649188.png

I'm also adding a Player of the Season award in the style of the Allan Border Medal - the Barrington Medal.

Drawn or lost match
Best player - 3 points
2nd best player - 2 points
3rd best player - 1 point

Won match
Best player - 5 points
2nd best player - 3 points
3rd best player - 2 points
4th best player - 1 point

Standings
=1. Robin Smith - 7 points
=1. Alec Stewart - 7 points
3. Michael Atherton - 5 points (+2)
4. Phil Tufnell - 4 points
5. Graham Gooch - 3 points (+3)
6. Chris Lewis - 2 points
7. Glen Chapple - 1 point (+1)
 

Aislabie

Test Cricket is Best Cricket
Moderator
Ireland
PlanetCricket Award Winner
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Location
Derbyshire
:aus: Australia (0) vs (1) England :eng: - Fifth Test at The WACA

Australia XI
:aus: :bat: Michael Slater
:aus: :bat: Mark Taylor :c:
:aus: :bat: David Boon
:aus: :bat: Mark Waugh
:aus: :bat: Steve Waugh
:aus: :bat: Greg Blewett
:aus: :wk: Ian Healy
:aus: :bwl: Shane Warne
:aus: :bwl: Craig McDermott
:aus: :bwl: Jo Angel
:aus: :bwl: Glenn McGrath

England XI
:eng: :bat: Graham Gooch :c:
:eng: :bat: Alec Stewart
:eng: :bat: Michael Atherton
:eng: :bat: Robin Smith
:eng: :bat: Graeme Hick
:eng: :ar: Chris Lewis
:eng: :wk: Jack Russell
:eng: :ar: Glen Chapple
:eng: :ar: Phillip DeFreitas
:eng: :ar: Dominic Cork
:eng: :bwl: Phil Tufnell

- - -

England win the toss and choose to bat

- - -

After so much fannying about with selecting second spinners that Mark Taylor didn't trust, it was a blessed relief to see Glenn McGrath return to the Australian side - for everyone who wasn't English anyway. Although the reasons for picking Jo Angel over Paul Reiffel weren't entirely clear. Meanwhile, England returned to their trusted five-man attack, making a couple of enforced changes for Fraser (injured) and Such (dreadful), as well as a couple of optional ones to get rid of Thorpe (no runs) and Gough (no wickets). All in all, both sides looked a bit stronger, although England might have been better off to go into the last Test with a genuine pace threat in their ranks.

It looked as if the Australian groundsmen had again got the message of "pls build road" from the ACB, and Gooch had no hesitation in choosing to bat first after winning his final Test toss. He did not, however, capitalise on the opportunity; instead, he trudged back to the pavilion with a golden duck to his name, followed soon after by Stewart for five. Fortunately, that brought England's real form man to the crease: with three centuries already in the series, Robin Smith just needed someone to stick around with him, and although nobody else made fifty, there were still a few worthy partners in Atherton, Russell and Cork who all scored between 36 and 41. But of course Smith was the star, finally getting that elusive maiden Test 150 and immediately converting it into a double-century.

The bowlers were clearly motivated to go out there and win another Test series, not allowing a 110-run opening partnership to stand in their way. Indeed, once DeFreitas and Tufnell had broken through the Australians' powerful top order, the game was just waiting for someone from either side to grab hold of it. That someone was Chris Lewis, who bowled fifteen immaculate overs to take three for 20, a headline-grabbing spell from a player who thrives in the role he's been given in the team. He, Tufnell and the rest delivered a lead of 143, though Michael Slater was left wishing that it was only 142 as he fell one run short of a century. Let's hope that doesn't become a habit (wink).

But that was when the problems started - and by problems, one means "McGrath and Warne". The pair just claimed wicket after wicket after wicket, and although Jack Russell was the only batsman to be dismissed for a duck, there was no stopping Australia from obliterating the English batting for an embarrassing 74 all out. It could have been far worse too, had it not been for a combative 30 in the lower order from Glen Chapple. From being free and clear in the match, England had fallen to a position of having only 217 runs to defend.

England needed a hero, so they threw the ball to Phil Tufnell. The crafty left-arm spinner - whose spinning finger must by now have been sporting calluses the size of marbles - wheeled his way through 37 overs unchanged from one end as England tried desperately to save the Test and their record of winning a shitload of Test series in a row. So how did he do? Well, very well indeed. When Glen Ghapple managed to dismiss Ian Healy for eight, Tufnell's five wickets had dragged England within sight of victory: the Australian tail still needed fifteen more runs.

Chapple to McDermott (15 to win, 3 to come) - 4 • 1 - That could have gone so differently! Chapple drew the outside edge twice, but one flew harmlessly over the slips for four, and the other one was grassed by a diving Hick.

Tufnell to McDermott (10 to win) - 1 • 1 • • 1 - Excellent composure now from the Australians - no need for risks with the winning line in sight.

DeFreitas to McDermott (7 to win) - 1 • • • • • - A bowling change here as Gooch decides to go with the experience of DeFreitas. A tight over ensues.

Tufnell to McDermott (6 to win) - • 4 • • • W - What a moment in the game! With only two runs to win, Craig McDermott loses his head and tries to win it in one big his! Tufnell gets his sixth victim, but surely it's too little too late?

DeFreitas to Warne (2 to win) - • • 1 W - OH MY GOODNESS! A single from Warne levels the scores, but DeFreitas immediately strikes back by getting Angel caught behind! One to win, one wicket left, and two balls left in the over!

DeFreitas to McGrath (1 to win) - W - AND THAT'S IT! ENGLAND HAVE TIED THE TEST! A HUGE APPEAL FOR LBW FROM DEFREITAS AND THE UMPIRE HAS ABSOLUTELY NO OPTION BUT TO GIVE IT OUT. WHAT. A. TEST. MATCH.

And what a way for Graham Gooch to sign off as captain of England. Only the third-ever Tied Test match, and it gives England their seventh consecutive Test series win. Somehow. After being bowled out for 74. After having only one run left to play with and three wickets left to take. I'm in shock.

1613734235914.png

I'm also adding a Player of the Season award in the style of the Allan Border Medal - the Barrington Medal.

Drawn or lost match
Best player - 3 points
2nd best player - 2 points
3rd best player - 1 point

Won match
Best player - 5 points
2nd best player - 3 points
3rd best player - 2 points
4th best player - 1 point

Standings
1. Robin Smith - 9 points (+2)

=2. Alec Stewart - 7 points
=2. Phil Tufnell - 7 points (+3)
=4. Michael Atherton - 5 points
=4. Phillip DeFreitas - 5 points (+5)
=6. Graham Gooch - 3 points
=6. Chris Lewis - 3 points (+1)
8. Glen Chapple - 1 point

No prizes for guessing the winner of the Barrington Medal this time around: the man with 630 runs at an average of 78.75, including four centuries. Take a bow Robin Smith.
 

Aislabie

Test Cricket is Best Cricket
Moderator
Ireland
PlanetCricket Award Winner
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Location
Derbyshire
World Test Rankings, as of 31 Mar 1995
Minumum qualification: 5 series

RankTeamRating
1:eng: England769
2:pak: Pakistan714
3:wi: West Indies667*
4:saf: South Africa667*
5:aus: Australia500*
6:ind: India500*
7:sri: Sri Lanka231
8:nzf: New Zealand133
9:zim: Zimbabwe100
*If two teams are level on points, their head-to-head against each other is taken into consideration

Opp.HomeAway
:eng:L (1-0)L (3-2)
:ind:W (4-0)D (0-0)
:nzf:W (2-0)D (1-1)
:pak:L (3-2)L (1-0)
:saf:--
:sri:W (1-0)W (1-0)
:wi:L (2-1)W (2-1)
:zim:--
Opp.HomeAway
:aus:W (3-2)W (1-0)
:ind:L (3-0)W (2-1)
:nzf:W (1-0)W (2-0)
:pak:W (1-0)L (1-0)
:saf:W (1-0)-
:sri:W (1-0)W (1-0)
:wi:L (2-1)W (2-1)
:zim:--
Opp.HomeAway
:aus:D (0-0)L (4-0)
:eng:L (2-1)W (3-0)
:nzf:W (2-1)D (0-0)
:pak:L (1-0)D (0-0)
:saf:D (1-1)D (1-1)
:sri:W (3-0)W (1-0)
:wi:D (1-1)L (3-0)
:zim:--
Opp.HomeAway
:aus:D (1-1)L (2-0)
:eng:L (2-0)L (1-0)
:ind:D (0-0)L (2-1)
:pak:L (2-1)L (3-0)
:saf:L (1-0)L (2-1)
:sri:L (1-0)L (1-0)
:wi:L (1-0)L (2-0)
:zim:-W (1-0)
Opp.HomeAway
:aus:W (1-0)L (1-0)
:eng:W (1-0)W (3-2)
:ind:D (0-0)W (1-0)
:nzf:W (3-0)W (2-1)
:saf:-L (1-0)
:sri:W (1-0)W (2-0)
:wi:D (1-1)L (2-0)
:zim:-W (2-1)
Opp.HomeAway
:aus:D (1-1)D (1-1)
:eng:-L (1-0)
:ind:W (1-0)-
:nzf:W (2-1)W (1-0)
:pak:W (1-0)-
:sri:-W (1-0)
:wi:-L (1-0)
:zim:--
Opp.HomeAway
:aus:L (1-0)L (1-0)
:eng:L (1-0)L (1-0)
:ind:L (1-0)L (3-0)
:nzf:W (1-0)W (1-0)
:pak:L (2-0)L (1-0)
:saf:L (1-0)-
:wi:D (0-0)-
:zim:-D (0-0)
Opp.HomeAway
:aus:L (2-1)W (2-1)
:eng:L (2-1)W (2-1)
:ind:W (3-0)D (1-1)
:nzf:W (2-0)W (1-0)
:pak:W (2-0)D (1-1)
:saf:W (1-0)-
:sri:-D (0-0)
:zim:--
Opp.HomeAway
:aus:--
:eng:--
:ind:D (0-0)L (1-0)
:nzf:L (1-0)-
:pak:L (2-1)L (2-0)
:saf:--
:sri:D (0-0)-
:wi:--

England are the Bannerman Shield holders
Well would you look at that - England have asserted themselves as the world's number one Test team. Amazing the difference seven consecutive series can make. What an excellent legacy for Gooch as he leaves the captaincy behind.
 

Aislabie

Test Cricket is Best Cricket
Moderator
Ireland
PlanetCricket Award Winner
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Location
Derbyshire
Records

Highest Innings Score
for :eng:
589 for 6 dec vs South Africa, Headingley 1994
vs :eng: 571 all out, Australia, Adelaide Oval 1991

Lowest Innings Score
for :eng:
74 all out vs Australia, The WACA 1995
vs :eng: 83 all out, West Indies, Queens Park Oval 1994

Highest Innings
for :eng:
294, Graham Gooch vs West Indies, The Oval 1991
vs :eng: 239*, Brian Lara, West Indies, Kensington Oval 1994

Best Innings Bowling
for :eng:
8 for 47, Peter Such vs India, Calcutta 1993
vs :eng: 7 for 66, Wasim Akram, Pakistan, Headingley 1992

Best Match Bowling
for :eng:
12 for 173, Phil Tufnell vs Sri Lanka, Colombo, 1993
vs :eng: 11 for 137, Wasim Akram, Pakistan, Headingley 1992

All-Time Record for Most Runs in a Series
1016 - Graham Gooch vs West Indies, 1991

Tied Test Match
:aus: Australia vs England :eng:, The WACA 1995

Partnerships
1. 190 - Graham Gooch & Tim Robinson vs Australia :aus: 1991
2. 262 - Graham Gooch & Mike Atherton vs New Zealand :saf: 1994
3. 325 - Graham Gooch & Robin Smith vs West Indies :wi: 1991
4. 247 - Robin Smith & Graeme Hick vs Pakistan :pak: 1992
5. 176 - Graeme Hick & Jack Russell vs West Indies :wi: 1991
6. 137 - Mike Atherton & Chris Lewis vs South Africa :saf: 1994
7. 174 - Chris Lewis & Phillip DeFreitas vs Australia :aus: 1993
8. 55 - Jack Russell & Darren Gough vs Australia :aus: 1994
9. 95 - Robin Smith & Dominic Cork vs Australia :aus: 1995
10. 61 - Graham Thorpe & Peter Such vs West Indies :wi: 1994

Honours Board
:bat:
:wi: vs :eng:, 1989-90
Graham Gooch - 112
Robin Smith - 101
Robin Smith - 112
Graham Gooch - 100

:eng: vs :nzf:, 1990
Graham Gooch - 127
Rob Bailey - 196

:eng: vs :ind:, 1990
none

:aus: vs :eng:, 1990-91
Robin Smith - 110
Graham Gooch - 170

:eng: vs :wi:, 1991
Robin Smith - 127
Graham Gooch - 175*
Graeme Hick - 108*

Graham Gooch - 165
Graham Gooch - 294
Robin Smith - 145


:eng: vs :sri:, 1991
Alec Stewart - 166
Graeme Hick - 100


:nzf: vs :eng:, 1991-92
Alec Stewart - 126*
Graham Gooch - 124
Graeme Hick - 107


:eng: vs :pak:, 1992
Graham Gooch - 103
Robin Smith - 132
Graeme Hick - 147

Graham Gooch - 150*

:ind: vs :eng:, 1992-93
Graham Gooch - 132
Alec Stewart - 151*

Mike Atherton - 147
Robin Smith - 137


:sri: vs :eng:, 1992-93
Alec Stewart - 137
Robin Smith - 102*


:eng: vs :aus:, 1993
Alec Stewart - 132
Alec Stewart - 111
Graham Gooch - 139
Chris Lewis - 114*

:wi: vs :eng:, 1993-94
Graham Gooch - 143
Alec Stewart - 156
Graham Gooch - 167
Mike Atherton - 127
Graham Thorpe - 111


:eng: vs :nzf:, 1994
Mike Atherton - 117
Alec Stewart - 132
Mike Atherton - 105

Robin Smith - 191

:eng: vs :saf:, 1994
Graham Gooch - 241
Graham Gooch - 175
Mike Atherton - 242

Graeme Hick - 101
Graeme Hick - 131


:aus: vs :eng:, 1994-95
Robin Smith - 106
Alec Stewart - 159

Robin Smith - 134
Alec Stewart - 115

Mike Atherton - 157*
Robin Smith - 100

Graham Gooch - 205
Robin Smith - 204

:bwl:
:wi: vs :eng:, 1989-90
Angus Fraser - 5 for 47
Gladstone Small - 5 for 72

Chris Lewis - 6 for 70

:eng: vs :nzf:, 1990
none

:eng: vs :ind:, 1990
Phil Tufnell - 5 for 116
Phil Tufnell - 5 for 72


:aus: vs :eng:, 1990-91
Angus Fraser - 5 for 116
Devon Malcolm - 6 for 75

:eng: vs :wi:, 1991
Steve Watkin - 5 for 56
Phil Tufnell - 5 for 138
Devon Malcolm - 5 for 47
Angus Fraser - 5 for 86

:eng: vs :sri:, 1991
none

:nzf: vs :eng:, 1991-92
Angus Fraser - 5 for 51
Phil Tufnell - 7 for 57

:eng: vs :pak:, 1992
Phil Tufnell - 5 for 100
Phil Tufnell - 5 for 31
Phil Tufnell - 5 for 45


:ind: vs :eng:, 1992-93
Phil Tufnell - 8 for 114
Peter Such - 8 for 47

Phil Tufnell - 5 for 72
Phil Tufnell - 6 for 167

Phil Tufnell - 7 for 171

:sri: vs :eng:, 1992-93
Phil Tufnell - 6 for 102
Phil Tufnell - 6 for 71


:eng: vs :aus:, 1993
Phil Tufnell - 7 for 105
Phillip DeFreitas - 5 for 19
Phillip DeFreitas - 5 for 62


:wi: vs :eng:, 1993-94
Phil Tufnell - 5 for 141
Peter Such - 6 for 119
Angus Fraser - 5 for 21
Phillip DeFreitas - 5 for 98

:eng: vs :nzf:, 1994
Darren Gough - 5 for 50
Phillip DeFreitas - Hattrick
Phil Tufnell - 5 for 71


:eng: vs :saf:, 1994
Phil Tufnell - 7 for 124
Phil Tufnell - 6 for 117

:aus: vs :eng:, 1994-95
Phil Tufnell - 5 for 79
Phil Tufnell - 5 for 122
Phil Tufnell - 6 for 96
Career Statistics
Includes all players who debuted before 1990 and played from that date onwards either in real life or in this universe.


Cap Numbers
Player#DebutLast Test
:eng: :bat: Graham Gooch461:eng: v :aus: (1), 1975:aus: v :eng: (5), 1994-95
:eng: :ar: Ian Botham474:eng: v :aus: (3), 1977:eng: v :ind: (3), 1990
:eng: :bat: Mike Gatting477:pak: v :eng: (3), 1977-78:ind: v :eng: (2), 1992-93
:eng: :bat: David Gower479:eng: v :pak: (1), 1978:eng: v :wi: (2), 1991
:eng: :ar: John Emburey480:eng: v :nzf: (3), 1978:eng: v :aus: (4), 1989
:eng: :bat: Wayne Larkins484:aus: v :eng: (3), 1979-80:eng: v :ind: (1), 1990
:eng: :bat: Allan Lamb494:eng: v :ind: (1), 1982:wi: v :eng: (4), 1989-90
:eng: :ar: Derek Pringle495:eng: v :ind: (1), 1982:eng: v :aus: (6), 1989
:eng: :bwl: Eddie Hemmings497:eng: v :pak: (1), 1982:wi: v :eng: (5), 1989-90
:eng: :bwl: Neil Foster502:eng: v :nzf: (3), 1983:eng: v :pak: (1), 1992
:eng: :bat: Tim Robinson511:ind: v :eng: (1), 1984:eng: v :wi: (5), 1991
:eng: :bwl: Gladstone Small521:eng: v :nzf: (2), 1986:eng: v :sri:, 1991
:eng: :ar: Phillip DeFreitas522:aus: v :eng: (1), 1986-87:aus: v :eng: (5), 1994-95
:eng: :bat: Neil Fairbrother525:eng: v :pak: (1), 1987:nzf: v :eng: (3), 1987-88
:eng: :ar: David Capel526:eng: v :pak: (3), 1987:eng: v :aus: (6), 1989
:eng: :bwl: Paul Jarvis527:nzf: v :eng: (1), 1987-88:eng: v :pak: (5), 1992
:eng: :bat: Robin Smith530:eng: v :wi: (4), 1988:aus: v :eng: (5), 1994-95
:eng: :bat: Rob Bailey531:eng: v :wi: (5), 1988:eng: v :wi: (4), 1991
:eng: :bat: Matt Maynard532:eng: v :wi: (5), 1988only Test
:eng: :bwl: Syd Lawrence534:eng: v :sri:, 1988:eng: v :sri:, 1991
:eng: :bwl: Phil Newport535:eng: v :sri:, 1988:eng: v :aus: (1), 1989
:eng: :wk: Jack Russell536:eng: v :sri:, 1988:aus: v :eng: (5), 1994-95
:eng: :bwl: Angus Fraser537:eng: v :aus: (3), 1989:aus: v :eng: (4), 1994-95
:eng: :bat: Mike Atherton538:eng: v :aus: (5), 1989:aus: v :eng: (5), 1994-95
:eng: :bwl: Devon Malcolm539:eng: v :aus: (5), 1989:aus: v :eng: (3), 1994-95
:eng: :bwl: Alan Igglesden540:eng: v :aus: (6), 1989only Test
- - - - - - - - - -- - -- - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - -
:eng: :bat: Alec Stewart542:wi: v :eng: (1), 1989-90:aus: v :eng: (5), 1994-95
:eng: :bwl: Phil Tufnell543:wi: v :eng: (1), 1989-90:aus: v :eng: (5), 1994-95
:eng: :ar: Chris Lewis544:wi: v :eng: (4), 1989-90:aus: v :eng: (5), 1994-95
:eng: :bat: Graeme Hick545:wi: v :eng: (5), 1989-90:aus: v :eng: (5), 1994-95
:eng: :bwl: Martin Bicknell546:eng: v :ind: (3), 1990:nzf: v :eng: (4), 1991-92
:eng: :bwl: Steve Watkin547:eng: v :wi: (1), 1991:eng: v :wi: (2), 1991
:eng: :bwl: Peter Such548:eng: v :wi: (3), 1991:aus: v :eng: (4), 1994-95
:eng: :bwl: Ian Salisbury549:ind: v :eng: (1), 1992-93only Test
:eng: :bat: Mark Ramprakash550:ind: v :eng: (2), 1992-93:wi: v :eng: (5), 1993-94
:eng: :ar: Dermot Reeve551:ind: v :eng: (3), 1992-93only Test
:eng: :bwl: Andy Caddick552:eng: v :aus: (2), 1993:eng: v :nzf: (1), 1994
:eng: :bat: Nasser Hussain553:eng: v :aus: (3), 1993:eng: v :nzf: (3), 1994
:eng: :bwl: Mark Ilott554:wi: v :eng: (4), 1993-94only Test
:eng: :bat: Graham Thorpe555:wi: v :eng: (4), 1993-94:aus: v :eng: (4), 1994-95
:eng: :bwl: Darren Gough556:eng: v :nzf: (1), 1994:aus: v :eng: (4), 1994-95
:eng: :ar: Dominic Cork557:eng: v :nzf: (2), 1994:aus: v :eng: (5), 1994-95
:eng: :wk: Richard Blakey558:eng: v :nzf: (3), 1994only Test
:eng: :ar: Glen Chapple559debut:aus: v :eng: (5), 1994-95

Captains
PlayerMatWTDLFirstLast
:eng: :bat: Graham Gooch552211616:eng: v :wi: (5), 1988:aus: v :eng: (5), 1994-95
:eng: :bat: Graeme Hick21010:ind: v :eng: (2), 1992-93:eng: v :nzf: (3), 1994

Batting & Fielding
PlayerMatInnNORunsAvg100s50sBestCtSt
:eng: :bat: Mike Atherton :slvo:36675281845.4561324214-
:eng: :bat: Rob Bailey1528181530.191219615-
:eng: :bwl: Martin Bicknell4406516.25--482-
:eng: :wk: Richard Blakey1205829.00--291-
:eng: :ar: Ian Botham (RET)1081767565633.471425208135-
:eng: :bwl: Andy Caddick814216613.83--37*--
:eng: :ar: David Capel (RET)1118029316.27-2984-
:eng: :ar: Glen Chapple2306321.00--301-
:eng: :ar: Dominic Cork4528227.33--37*1-
:eng: :ar: Phillip DeFreitas :slvo::slvo:3048569816.23-1826-
:eng: :ar: John Emburey (RET)608918154021.49-87533-
:eng: :bat: Neil Fairbrother44051.25--33-
:eng: :bwl: Neil Foster (RET)39601260012.50--42*13-
:eng: :bwl: Angus Fraser4764105349.89--347-
:eng: :bat: Mike Gatting (RET)7012114403737.7391920753-
:eng: :bat: Graham Gooch :slvo::slvo::slvo:126234101048946.832556294142-
:eng: :bwl: Darren Gough912313815.33--35*--
:eng: :bat: David Gower (RET)12421517850642.96154721575-
:eng: :bwl: Eddie Hemmings (RET)1319333220.75-1954-
:eng: :bat: Graeme Hick39704257739.0461414762-
:eng: :bat: Nasser Hussain47012417.71--338-
:eng: :bwl: Alan Igglesden1112---2*1-
:eng: :bwl: Mark Ilott12226---25*--
:eng: :bwl: Paul Jarvis1015418917.18--35*1-
:eng: :bat: Allan Lamb (RET)601059322433.58912137*53-
:eng: :bat: Wayne Larkins (RET)1019034818.31--435-
:eng: :bwl: Syd Lawrence22063.00--4--
:eng: :ar: Chris Lewis447010164227.3716114*42-
:eng: :bwl: Devon Malcolm2736101776.81--14*7-
:eng: :bat: Matt Maynard120136.50--10--
:eng: :bwl: Phil Newport2307023.33--361-
:eng: :ar: Derek Pringle (RET)2136351215.51-2667-
:eng: :bat: Mark Ramprakash815148834.86-576*--
:eng: :ar: Dermot Reeve120126.00--6--
:eng: :bat: Tim Robinson (RET) :slvo:41716236236.3341217514-
:eng: :wk: Jack Russell6110324269334.09115128*16316
:eng: :bwl: Ian Salisbury1102121.00--21--
:eng: :bwl: Gladstone Small (RET)2026738220.10-2592-
:eng: :bat: Robin Smith :slvo::slvo:601108505749.58152520419-
:eng: :bat: Alec Stewart35684296046.2510916611-
:eng: :bwl: Peter Such11146455.63--14*4-
:eng: :bat: Graham Thorpe712144140.09114-
:eng: :bwl: Phil Tufnell :slvo::slvo:4655142155.24--3611-
:eng: :bwl: Steve Watkin2405513.75--27--

Bowling
PlayerMatOvrRunsWktsAvgEcon5WI10WMBest
:eng: :bat: Mike Atherton :slvo:361274951338.083.9--3/32
:eng: :bat: Rob Bailey1543175287.504.1--1/0
:eng: :bwl: Martin Bicknell41914691142.632.5--3/72
:eng: :wk: Richard Blakey1--------
:eng: :ar: Ian Botham (RET)10837791122340028.133.02748/34
:eng: :bwl: Andy Caddick83298752141.672.7--4/71
:eng: :ar: David Capel (RET)112096281252.333.0--2/13
:eng: :ar: Glen Chapple285276555.203.2--3/99
:eng: :ar: Dominic Cork4146425947.222.9--3/80
:eng: :ar: Phillip DeFreitas :slvo::slvo:30110630408635.342.7415/19
:eng: :ar: John Emburey (RET)602371510513836.992.16-7/78
:eng: :bat: Neil Fairbrother4290-4.5---
:eng: :bwl: Neil Foster (RET)391451390211533.932.7518/107
:eng: :bwl: Angus Fraser471931458913733.502.44-5/21
:eng: :bat: Mike Gatting (RET)70125317479.252.5--1/14
:eng: :bat: Graham Gooch :slvo::slvo::slvo:1263067401743.532.4--2/12
:eng: :bwl: Darren Gough93719162339.822.51-5/50
:eng: :bat: David Gower (RET)124620120.003.3--1/1
:eng: :bwl: Eddie Hemmings (RET)1351314543146.902.8--4/90
:eng: :bat: Graeme Hick391625291148.093.3--3/38
:eng: :bat: Nasser Hussain4--------
:eng: :bwl: Alan Igglesden137146348.673.9--2/91
:eng: :bwl: Mark Ilott1381271127.003.3--1/106
:eng: :bwl: Paul Jarvis1035910692641.123.0--4/50
:eng: :bat: Allan Lamb (RET)60523123.004.6--1/6
:eng: :bat: Wayne Larkins (RET)10--------
:eng: :bwl: Syd Lawrence268223455.753.3--2/74
:eng: :ar: Chris Lewis44129234299735.352.71-6/70
:eng: :bwl: Devon Malcolm2797831439632.743.22-6/75
:eng: :bat: Matt Maynard1--------
:eng: :bwl: Phil Newport292339937.663.7--4/87
:eng: :ar: Derek Pringle (RET)2162518074837.642.92-5/95
:eng: :bat: Mark Ramprakash8120-2.0---
:eng: :ar: Dermot Reeve114390-2.8---
:eng: :bat: Tim Robinson (RET) :slvo:41100-0.0---
:eng: :wk: Jack Russell61--------
:eng: :bwl: Ian Salisbury113760-5.9---
:eng: :bwl: Gladstone Small (RET)2078419806033.002.53-5/48
:eng: :bat: Robin Smith :slvo::slvo:60--------
:eng: :bat: Alec Stewart35--------
:eng: :bwl: Peter Such1155716144932.942.92-8/47
:eng: :bat: Graham Thorpe7--------
:eng: :bwl: Phil Tufnell :slvo::slvo:462325647223927.082.82158/114
:eng: :bwl: Steve Watkin264223544.603.51-5/56

We're entering another one of those periods, where Phil Tufnell takes all of our wickets and we just have to be okay with that.

There are some fragilities in this side though - the captain-elect Graeme Hick has just had his career batting average drop below 40 for the first time, and none of the next generation of batsmen (Ramprakash, Hussain, Thorpe) has quite stamped their name on the soon-to-be-vacant number three spot.

Then there's the bowling; Tufnell is fantastic, but he's doing an awful lot of carrying. Caddick (41.67), Chapple (55.20), Cork (47.22) and Gough (39.82) have all had opportunities, but none of them has really made a spot their own. And the upcoming series against the West Indies and South Africa are hardly likely to be bastions of easy wickets either.
 

Aislabie

Test Cricket is Best Cricket
Moderator
Ireland
PlanetCricket Award Winner
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Location
Derbyshire
West Indies Tour of England, 1995

Itinerary

08 Jun 1995 - :eng: England vs West Indies :wi: - First Test at Headingley - West Indies won by 8 wickets
22 Jun 1995 - :eng: England vs West Indies :wi: - Second Test at Lord's - Match drawn
06 Jul 1995 - :eng: England vs West Indies :wi: - Third Test at Edgbaston - England won by 4 wickets
27 Jul 1995 - :eng: England vs West Indies :wi: - Fourth Test at Old Trafford - England won by 193 runs
10 Aug 1995 - :eng: England vs West Indies :wi: - Fifth Test at The Oval - England won by 246 runs

England Squad

:eng: :bat: Graeme Hick :c:

:eng: :bat: Mike Atherton :slvo:
:eng: :bat: Graham Gooch :slvo::slvo::slvo:
:eng: :bat: Mark Ramprakash
:eng: :bat: Robin Smith :slvo::slvo:
:eng: :bat: Alec Stewart

:eng: :wk: Richard Blakey
:eng: :wk: Jack Russell

:eng: :ar: Mark Alleyne :redo:
:eng: :ar: Chris Lewis

:eng: :ar: Dominic Cork
:eng: :ar: Phillip DeFreitas :slvo::slvo:
:eng: :bwl: Angus Fraser
:eng: :bwl: Darren Gough
:eng: :bwl: Richard Johnson :redo:
:eng: :bwl: Devon Malcolm

:eng: :bwl: Richard Illingworth :redo:
:eng: :bwl: Phil Tufnell :slvo::slvo:

There is the unavoidable feeling that this series is one that marks a changing of the guard for England. For one thing, there is the announcement of Graham Gooch's successor as England captain: despite his questionable batting form, Graeme Hick has long been a leader in the dressing room as well as someone who understands the importance of a supportive leadership figure. Graham Gooch retreats into the ranks for his farewell season, while Mark Ramprakash looks like a possibility to force his way into the team somehow on the back of some staggering domestic form. Speaking of domestic form, the young Middlesex opening bowler Richard Johnson has been granted his first-ever England call-up after continuing the form he displayed in his breakthrough season in 1994: still only 20, he has a lot of cricket ahead of him. Mark Alleyne also comes into the squad as a backup all-rounder, although it seems fairly unlikely that he will actually get to play. Graham Thorpe has been sent back to Surrey in the hope of recapturing some batting form.
 
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