England fans have voted for their best-ever men’s Test XI to celebrate the 1000th England Test match at Edgbaston, starting on Wednesday August 1.

Fans were invited to pick their team from over 100 players ranging from WG Grace in the 1880s to current Test captain Joe Root in a survey completed by over 6,000 England cricket fans.

There is no place for legends such as Grace, Jack Hobbs, Denis Compton, Wally Hammond, Ken Barrington, Peter May, Derek Underwood, Jim Laker or Sydney Barnes.

After two weeks of voting and, with some selections coming down to only three votes, the ECB announced the outcome of their survey on Monday.

England’s best-ever Test XI – ECB survey

Alastair Cook
Sir Len Hutton
David Gower
Kevin Pietersen
Joe Root
Sir Ian Botham
Alan Knott (wk)
Graeme Swann
Fred Trueman
James Anderson
Bob Willis

Joe Root said: “To be selected in the best-ever England men’s Test XI side by cricket fans across the country is incredibly humbling.

“When I think of some of the incredible players who haven’t made the cut, legends of the game such as Denis Compton and Wally Hammond, I’m not sure I would have voted for myself, but I certainly want to thank the fans for thinking of me.

“It’s great to see my current teammates Alastair Cook and James Anderson be recognised for their contributions to England Test cricket too.”