This week you selected Phil Mustard as your #EngAusXI wicketkeeper; now we’re onto the two all-rounder spots.
Mustard’s inclusion in the keeping role at number six made it two Englishmen following Paul Collingwood’s selection at five, with four Australians making up the top order – Michael Di Venuto, Mike Hussey, David Boon & Dean Jones.
But two will become four, with all three nominees English this time around.
Study the stats & vote at the bottom of the page for your favourite two all-rounders!
Three stands are now completely sold out for England’s Royal London ODI against Australia on Thursday, 21 June at Emirates Riverside. Tickets are available at the Box Office on 0844 499 4466 or online.
Ben Stokes
One of the finest all-rounders currently in the game, Stokes made waves at county level before gradually being introduced into international cricket following his One-Day International debut in 2011.
His blistering knock of 185 against Lancashire in the 2011 County Championship, including a towering six over the pavilion, confirmed Stokes’s incredible ability & he has since gone on to star for England in all three formats.
The left-hander’s quickfire 258 in the 2016 Test in South Africa was the highest score for an international number six with a record 11 maximums.
Ian Botham
Sir Ian Botham was part of the original Durham squad to embark on first-class cricket in 1992, joining the Club after an offer from David Graveney & Director of Cricket, Geoff Cook.
Though near the end of his playing career, Botham’s star qualities remained obvious & he notched 105 in the Club’s maiden first-class fixture against Leicestershire.
His name helped kickstart the Club’s venture into first-class cricket & he remains a hugely influential figure at Emirates Riverside.
Ian Blackwell
A popular figure who featured for England in both Test & One-Day International cricket, Ian Blackwell proved a favourite at Durham from the moment he hit a century on first-class debut against the MCC in 2009.
In 58 first-class outings, Blackwell added another four centuries at a respectable average of 37.48 while taking 149 wickets, proving a big part of the 2009 County Championship win.
Forced to retire after a string of shoulder operations, Blackwell is now an ECB umpire & stood in the Second XI’s Championship title win in 2016.