United rivals- The all time best Ashes XI

4. Wally Hammond (England):

Ashes statistics – Matches: 33. Runs: 2,852. Average: 51.85. Centuries: Nine. Highest Ashes score: 251.

Strong-willed and strong-limbed, Hammond was so good that comparisons were frequently made with his Gloucestershire predecessor WG Grace. Wisden, known as the “Bible of Cricket”, talks about his physical prowess at the crease – “strongly-built, square-shouldered, deep-chested, with impressively powerful forearms” – and says he was so adept a sportsman that in the 21st century he would have become a football star. But it was wielding the willow where Hammond impressed himself on the minds of the cricketing world, especially Australian opponents. In the 1928-29 Ashes he scored almost exclusively within the ‘V’ between extra cover and mid-wicket, but could hook and pull with the best. He hit 905 runs in that 4-1 series win, still a record for an English cricketer.

Hammond was also a useful quick bowler, with 732 first-class wickets – an added dimension that seals his inclusion in this side. His rivalry with The Don was infamous and very real, but for the Australian’s enviable record, Hammond would still top many pages in the record books today. In his own words: “Yeees!” (After making 336 v New Zealand and thereby beating Don Bradman’s record). He can’t be left out but four and five are incredibly difficult to select – there are so many deserving candidates.