Getting into the spirit of the sport, we’ve been reflecting on some of England’s greatest achievements in cricketing history and have put together a quiz to help test and expand your knowledge.
As the clocks have gone forward and we’ve officially entered British Summer Time, we’re getting excited for the return of one of the season’s most-loved sports – Cricket. With the longer, warmer days on the horizon, it’s not long now until we’ll be outside and enjoying the game, either as players or spectators. Getting into the spirit of the sport, we’ve been reflecting on some of England’s greatest achievements in cricketing history and have put together a quiz to help test and expand your knowledge. With so much talent, we’ve included a few of our most-popular cricket speakers, who are all available to book with us for your next event. Have a go and let us know how you get on by tagging us on Instagram @evolve_talent_speakers.
Which former England international hit a historic double hundred in the 1997 Ashes at Edgbaston?
Mark Butcher
Former team
Nasser Hussain OBE
Former team
Graham Thorpe MBE
Former team
Incorrect Answer!
Nasser is a former England captain. He is regarded as one of the most talented batters of his generation, having scored over 30,000 runs, including a historic 207 at the 1997 Ashes.
Nasser moved to England from India at age 7 and was selected at age 14 for England Schools. His father was a keen cricketer and his passion for the game reflected on Nasser. Despite his father encouraging him to bowl from a young age, Nasser remained a stand-out and talented batsman throughout his career. He joined county side Essex in 1987 and in 1990, made his England debut against the West Indies, helping the team achieve a 2-1 series win. Regarded by selectors as too hot-headed, Nasser wasn’t picked again for over three years. In 1993 however, he returned to the team and was soon a mainstay, being named England captain in 1999, succeeding Alec Stewart.
In 2004, Nasser retired and joined the Sky Sports commentary team. Since then, he has become a cricket pundit and commentator, and is one of the most sought-after cricket speakers in the industry.
Correct Answer!
Nasser is a former England captain. He is regarded as one of the most talented batters of his generation, having scored over 30,000 runs, including a historic 207 at the 1997 Ashes.
Nasser moved to England from India at age 7 and was selected at age 14 for England Schools. His father was a keen cricketer and his passion for the game reflected on Nasser. Despite his father encouraging him to bowl from a young age, Nasser remained a stand-out and talented batsman throughout his career. He joined county side Essex in 1987 and in 1990, made his England debut against the West Indies, helping the team achieve a 2-1 series win. Regarded by selectors as too hot-headed, Nasser wasn’t picked again for over three years. In 1993 however, he returned to the team and was soon a mainstay, being named England captain in 1999, succeeding Alec Stewart.
In 2004, Nasser retired and joined the Sky Sports commentary team. Since then, he has become a cricket pundit and commentator, and is one of the most sought-after cricket speakers in the industry.
Who captained England to 26 Test Match victories?
Andrew Strauss OBE
Former team
Sir Alastair Cook
Former team
Michael Vaughan OBE
Former team
Incorrect Answer!
Michael is one of the most successful England cricket captains of all time, who led his country to a record 26 Test victories, including the historic Ashes victory in 2005. He is also a legendary batsman, having scored more than 5,000 test runs.
Michael joined his local county, Yorkshire, and went onto spend his entire career representing the team in the domestic game, having made his professional debut at age 17. He had his first England callup in 1999 and made his first Test century in 2001 during a match against Pakistan. Undoubtedly the pinnacle of Michael’s career however, was the 2005 Ashes series which took place in the UK, against Australia. Having not been victorious in the series since 1987, Michael captained England to a historic 2-1 victory.
Since his retirement from the professional sport in 2009, Michael is now a cricket broadcaster, and has featured on the BBC’s famous Test Match Special radio show, where he analyses England’s latest cricket matches and Test series. He has also appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Fighting Talk panel show; BT Sport’s coverage of cricket; and worked for Fox Sports Australia during the Aussie test summer. With such an incredible cricketing CV and an extensive knowledge of the sport, Michael makes for a perfect speaker.
Correct Answer!
Michael is one of the most successful England cricket captains of all time, who led his country to a record 26 Test victories, including the historic Ashes victory in 2005. He is also a legendary batsman, having scored more than 5,000 test runs.
Michael joined his local county, Yorkshire, and went onto spend his entire career representing the team in the domestic game, having made his professional debut at age 17. He had his first England callup in 1999 and made his first Test century in 2001 during a match against Pakistan. Undoubtedly the pinnacle of Michael’s career however, was the 2005 Ashes series which took place in the UK, against Australia. Having not been victorious in the series since 1987, Michael captained England to a historic 2-1 victory.
Since his retirement from the professional sport in 2009, Michael is now a cricket broadcaster, and has featured on the BBC’s famous Test Match Special radio show, where he analyses England’s latest cricket matches and Test series. He has also appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Fighting Talk panel show; BT Sport’s coverage of cricket; and worked for Fox Sports Australia during the Aussie test summer. With such an incredible cricketing CV and an extensive knowledge of the sport, Michael makes for a perfect speaker.
Following a career high, including becoming England’s highest wicket-taker of the 2003/4 tour of the West Indies, who went onto be ranked as the ICC’s number one test bowler?
Darren Gough MBE
Former team
Steve Harmison MBE
Former team
Simon Jones MBE
Former team
Incorrect Answer!
Steve is one of English crickets greatest ever bowlers, who has represented his country in 63 Test matches, 58 ODIs and also played a crucial role in England’s historic 2005 Ashes victory.
Steve made his international debut in 2002, however it was in 2003/04 during the tour of the West Indies, that he really made a name for himself, as he became his country’s highest wicket-taker of the series. Following this, he was then named in the 2005 Wisden Cricketers of the Year list. As well as playing for England, Steve also spent 7 years playing in domestic cricket for Durham.
Whilst an extremely talented and successful player, Steve struggled with the amount of travelling required for a professional sportsman. He suffered with both homesickness and, eventually, clinical depression. In addition to talking about his cricket career, Steve can also open-up about the mental struggles he faced during his career.
Correct Answer!
Steve is one of English crickets greatest ever bowlers, who has represented his country in 63 Test matches, 58 ODIs and also played a crucial role in England’s historic 2005 Ashes victory.
Steve made his international debut in 2002, however it was in 2003/04 during the tour of the West Indies, that he really made a name for himself, as he became his country’s highest wicket-taker of the series. Following this, he was then named in the 2005 Wisden Cricketers of the Year list. As well as playing for England, Steve also spent 7 years playing in domestic cricket for Durham.
Whilst an extremely talented and successful player, Steve struggled with the amount of travelling required for a professional sportsman. He suffered with both homesickness and, eventually, clinical depression. In addition to talking about his cricket career, Steve can also open-up about the mental struggles he faced during his career.
Which former international retired from the professional sport in 2014, and went onto become a presenter, commentator, and pundit for the sport?
Isa Guha
Former team
Shaun Pollock OIS
Former team
Kevin Pietersen MBE
Former team
Incorrect Answer!
Isa Guha is a right-arm fast-medium bowler, who is regarded as one of England’s greatest ever female cricketers. She is one of the country’s most successful bowlers and helped her country win the Ashes and Cricket World Cup.
Isa realised her love for the sport aged 8 when she played in the garden with her brother. She then went onto be in England’s development side at aged 13. Her domestic career began in 1998 with Thames Valley, and in 2000 she signed with Berkshire, who she spent the rest of her career with. Isa made her England debut in 2002, aged 17, in a Test match against India. This made her the first player of Indian heritage to represent England’s women’s team. In 2008, she was ranked as the best female bowler on the planet and in the same year, helped England retain the Ashes. In 2009, she played a crucial role for England as they won the Cricket World Cup for the first time since 1993.
Following her retirement in 2014, Isa has become a very popular cricket presenter and commentator. She works for BBC Sport, ITV Sport, and Sky Sports, and is one of the most popular female sporting speakers on the circuit.
Correct Answer!
Isa Guha is a right-arm fast-medium bowler, who is regarded as one of England’s greatest ever female cricketers. She is one of the country’s most successful bowlers and helped her country win the Ashes and Cricket World Cup.
Isa realised her love for the sport aged 8 when she played in the garden with her brother. She then went onto be in England’s development side at aged 13. Her domestic career began in 1998 with Thames Valley, and in 2000 she signed with Berkshire, who she spent the rest of her career with. Isa made her England debut in 2002, aged 17, in a Test match against India. This made her the first player of Indian heritage to represent England’s women’s team. In 2008, she was ranked as the best female bowler on the planet and in the same year, helped England retain the Ashes. In 2009, she played a crucial role for England as they won the Cricket World Cup for the first time since 1993.
Following her retirement in 2014, Isa has become a very popular cricket presenter and commentator. She works for BBC Sport, ITV Sport, and Sky Sports, and is one of the most popular female sporting speakers on the circuit.
Which former international notoriously had the nickname ‘Whispering Death’ due to their silent light-footed run-up?
Michael Holding
Former team
Andy Caddick
Former team
Shaun Pollock OIS
Former team
Incorrect Answer!
Michael is a former West Indies international cricketer and renowned bowler. He played more than 100 matches for the West Indies, and took over 200 Test wickets throughout his career.
Michael was born in Jamaica and was enrolled in a cricket club from the age of 3. Despite being a sufferer of Asthma, he was one of the best talents of his age. Michael made his debut for the West Indies in 1975, and following his retirement in 1988, went on to work as a popular cricket commentator and broadcaster for Sky Sports. He also works with the sport’s international governing body, the ICC. A vocal anti-racism campaigner, in 2020, during a rain delay in a Test match between England and West Indies, Michael addressed the Black Lives Matter movement that was taking place at the time. His impassioned speech went viral and received global praise.
With a wealth of public support, Michael went onto write a book, Why We Kneel, How we Rise, which was released in 2021 to huge critical acclaim. It featured contributions from the likes of Thierry Henry, Usain Bolt and Michael Johnson. Michael is now not only a popular speaker on the sport, but also on racial equality and diversity and inclusion.
Correct Answer!
Michael is a former West Indies international cricketer and renowned bowler. He played more than 100 matches for the West Indies, and took over 200 Test wickets throughout his career.
Michael was born in Jamaica and was enrolled in a cricket club from the age of 3. Despite being a sufferer of Asthma, he was one of the best talents of his age. Michael made his debut for the West Indies in 1975, and following his retirement in 1988, went on to work as a popular cricket commentator and broadcaster for Sky Sports. He also works with the sport’s international governing body, the ICC. A vocal anti-racism campaigner, in 2020, during a rain delay in a Test match between England and West Indies, Michael addressed the Black Lives Matter movement that was taking place at the time. His impassioned speech went viral and received global praise.
With a wealth of public support, Michael went onto write a book, Why We Kneel, How we Rise, which was released in 2021 to huge critical acclaim. It featured contributions from the likes of Thierry Henry, Usain Bolt and Michael Johnson. Michael is now not only a popular speaker on the sport, but also on racial equality and diversity and inclusion.
Which former international is a keen musician and can often be found on the radio and events playing his music?
Robert Key
Former team
Mark Butcher
Former team
Ryan Sidebottom
Former team
Incorrect Answer!
Mark is a former England international batsman who represented his country in 71 Test matches in a professional career that spanned 17 years.
Spending the entirety of his domestic career with Surrey, he is regarded as one of the greatest players to ever represent the county. Mark was noticed by selectors there and in 1997, made his Test debut during the Ashes Series against Australia. From then, he went onto regularly record high scores for his country and spent almost a decade as a regular member of England’s Test team. Since his retirement in 2009, Mark has become a commentator for a number of broadcasters in the UK, including Sky Sports and BBC Sport. Alongside this, he works as a popular speaker for both private and corporate functions.
Outside of his passion for cricket, he is also a keen musician and can often be found on the radio and at events playing his music.
Correct Answer!
Mark is a former England international batsman who represented his country in 71 Test matches in a professional career that spanned 17 years.
Spending the entirety of his domestic career with Surrey, he is regarded as one of the greatest players to ever represent the county. Mark was noticed by selectors there and in 1997, made his Test debut during the Ashes Series against Australia. From then, he went onto regularly record high scores for his country and spent almost a decade as a regular member of England’s Test team. Since his retirement in 2009, Mark has become a commentator for a number of broadcasters in the UK, including Sky Sports and BBC Sport. Alongside this, he works as a popular speaker for both private and corporate functions.
Outside of his passion for cricket, he is also a keen musician and can often be found on the radio and at events playing his music.
Which former international hit 17 test match hundreds over his 15-year career, including a high-score of 281 against Australia in 2001?
Nasser Hussain OBE
Former team
Andy Flower OBE
Former team
VVS Laxman
Former team
Incorrect Answer!
VVS is regarded as one of India’s greatest ever batsmen, representing his country in some of the biggest stages for over 15 years. He played in 134 Test matches for India and 86 ODI’s.
With childhood ambitions of being a doctor, and having attended medical school in India, it was a huge step for VVS to change path and join domestic cricket team, Hyderabad. His talent however did not let him look back and he made his debut for India in 1996 during a Test match against South Africa. Undoubtedly his finest game came in a 2001 Test series against Australia when, following a 10-wicket defeat in the first Test in Mumbai, VVS went onto put in a match-winning performance where he hit a stunning 281 runs which helped India clinch the match. This form continued throughout the series and against all odds, the team achieved a 2-1 win. Following this, he soon became a mainstay in the team and worked his way up to be a top-order batsman. Between 2004-2005 however he suffered from a lack of form which saw some even suggesting he should be dropped.
VVS retired in 2012 and in recent years, has worked on the Cricket Advisory Committee, advising cricket governing bodies on a whole host of issues within the sport. In 2020, he was appointed as the batting consultant of the Cricket Association of Bengal. Additionally, he has also embarked on a broadcasting career as a cricket commentator and pundit, and is a very popular speaker on the sport.
Correct Answer!
VVS is regarded as one of India’s greatest ever batsmen, representing his country in some of the biggest stages for over 15 years. He played in 134 Test matches for India and 86 ODI’s.
With childhood ambitions of being a doctor, and having attended medical school in India, it was a huge step for VVS to change path and join domestic cricket team, Hyderabad. His talent however did not let him look back and he made his debut for India in 1996 during a Test match against South Africa. Undoubtedly his finest game came in a 2001 Test series against Australia when, following a 10-wicket defeat in the first Test in Mumbai, VVS went onto put in a match-winning performance where he hit a stunning 281 runs which helped India clinch the match. This form continued throughout the series and against all odds, the team achieved a 2-1 win. Following this, he soon became a mainstay in the team and worked his way up to be a top-order batsman. Between 2004-2005 however he suffered from a lack of form which saw some even suggesting he should be dropped.
VVS retired in 2012 and in recent years, has worked on the Cricket Advisory Committee, advising cricket governing bodies on a whole host of issues within the sport. In 2020, he was appointed as the batting consultant of the Cricket Association of Bengal. Additionally, he has also embarked on a broadcasting career as a cricket commentator and pundit, and is a very popular speaker on the sport.
Who is England’s highest ever Test run-scorer, with a total of 12,472?
Andrew Strauss OBE
Former team
Graham Gooch OBE
Former team
Sir Alastair Cook
Former team
Incorrect Answer!
Former England captain, Alastair is England’s highest ever Test run-scorer and statistically the best batsman in the nation’s history. He achieved 12,472 runs which places him fifth on the list of highest ever Test run-scorers in the sport’s history.
At the age of 13, Alastair attended a boarding school in Bedford due to his musical talent. Despite intending on embarking on a musical career, his passion for cricket surpassed this. From the age of 16, Alastair became part of Essex’s academy and in 2003, he made his debut. He was then selected for England in 2006, at age 21, in a Test match with India. During his first year playing for England, he scored over 1,000 runs and quickly established himself as one of the best batsmen in the world. In 2009, he played a vital role as the team won the Ashes, and in 2010, was named England captain. He then went onto captain the team in back-to-back Ashes Series in 2013 and 2014, with a 3-2 win followed by a 5-0 defeat. Some of his highlights as captain include winning against India for the first time since 1984-85; becoming his country’s leading Test run-scorer; and equalling Allan Border’s record for appearing in the greatest number of consecutive Test matches, with 153.
Alastair played his last game for England in 2018 and has since continued to play for Essex in domestic cricket. His passion for the game has resulted in him being one of the most popular cricket speakers and icons of his time.
Correct Answer!
Former England captain, Alastair is England’s highest ever Test run-scorer and statistically the best batsman in the nation’s history. He achieved 12,472 runs which places him fifth on the list of highest ever Test run-scorers in the sport’s history.
At the age of 13, Alastair attended a boarding school in Bedford due to his musical talent. Despite intending on embarking on a musical career, his passion for cricket surpassed this. From the age of 16, Alastair became part of Essex’s academy and in 2003, he made his debut. He was then selected for England in 2006, at age 21, in a Test match with India. During his first year playing for England, he scored over 1,000 runs and quickly established himself as one of the best batsmen in the world. In 2009, he played a vital role as the team won the Ashes, and in 2010, was named England captain. He then went onto captain the team in back-to-back Ashes Series in 2013 and 2014, with a 3-2 win followed by a 5-0 defeat. Some of his highlights as captain include winning against India for the first time since 1984-85; becoming his country’s leading Test run-scorer; and equalling Allan Border’s record for appearing in the greatest number of consecutive Test matches, with 153.
Alastair played his last game for England in 2018 and has since continued to play for Essex in domestic cricket. His passion for the game has resulted in him being one of the most popular cricket speakers and icons of his time.
Which former international bowler took over 1,000 first-class wickets over their 15-year career?
Phil Tufnell
Former team
Harry Gurney
Former team
Darren Gough MBE
Former team
Incorrect Answer!
Phil is one of England’s greatest bowlers, who took over 1,000 wickets, including 121 in Test cricket for England. He represented England in 42 Test matches and 20 ODIs in a career that spanned over 15 years.
Phil is a slow left-arm orthodox bowler whose talent was first noticed at school. He joined Middlesex in 1986 before making his England debut in 1990 in the Boxing Day Test against Australia in the Ashes. Throughout his career, Phil was known for his cheeky-chappie persona and hilarious personality and was often the prankster of the team. Following his retirement in 2002, he went onto be a cricket pundit for the BBC and well-loved media personality. Phil became a team captain on A Question of Sport, after joining the show as a permanent member in 2008. He then spent over a decade on the famous sport’s quiz show, making up a third of the much-loved trio that included ex-rugby star Matt Dawson and host Sue Barker.
Phil has also appeared on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! where he was crowned ‘King of the Jungle’; and on the likes of The Jump, Strictly Come Dancing, Would I Lie to You?, and Celebrity Deal or No Deal. As both a successful cricketer and a hugely likeable media personality, it is no surprise he is an incredibly popular speaker for a range of events.
Correct Answer!
Phil is one of England’s greatest bowlers, who took over 1,000 wickets, including 121 in Test cricket for England. He represented England in 42 Test matches and 20 ODIs in a career that spanned over 15 years.
Phil is a slow left-arm orthodox bowler whose talent was first noticed at school. He joined Middlesex in 1986 before making his England debut in 1990 in the Boxing Day Test against Australia in the Ashes. Throughout his career, Phil was known for his cheeky-chappie persona and hilarious personality and was often the prankster of the team. Following his retirement in 2002, he went onto be a cricket pundit for the BBC and well-loved media personality. Phil became a team captain on A Question of Sport, after joining the show as a permanent member in 2008. He then spent over a decade on the famous sport’s quiz show, making up a third of the much-loved trio that included ex-rugby star Matt Dawson and host Sue Barker.
Phil has also appeared on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! where he was crowned ‘King of the Jungle’; and on the likes of The Jump, Strictly Come Dancing, Would I Lie to You?, and Celebrity Deal or No Deal. As both a successful cricketer and a hugely likeable media personality, it is no surprise he is an incredibly popular speaker for a range of events.
Which former international is one of just 25 players in the sport’s history to score 100 first-class centuries?
Robert Key
Former team
Mark Ramprakash MBE
Former team
Mike Gatting OBE
Former team
Incorrect Answer!
Mark played in 52 Test matches and 18 ODIs in a career that spanned over 25 years. He is one of just 25 players in the sport’s history to score 100 first-class centuries.
Mark’s cricketing career began with Middlesex in 1987, however his domestic career didn’t stay there. He also represented Surrey and became the first man to captain both teams. In 1991, Mark made his England Test debut in a match against the West Indies and was an incredible asset to the team. He retired in 2012 and became a coach in both the international and domestic game. He was a batting coach for both Middlesex and England, as well as head coach of Edinburgh Rocks for the inaugural Euro T20 Slam cricket tournament.
In 2006, he won Strictly Come Dancing, and is also an ambassador for the British Asian Trust. Mark is an incredibly popular speaker and is able to talk in great detail on both the playing and coaching sides of cricket.
Correct Answer!
Mark played in 52 Test matches and 18 ODIs in a career that spanned over 25 years. He is one of just 25 players in the sport’s history to score 100 first-class centuries.
Mark’s cricketing career began with Middlesex in 1987, however his domestic career didn’t stay there. He also represented Surrey and became the first man to captain both teams. In 1991, Mark made his England Test debut in a match against the West Indies and was an incredible asset to the team. He retired in 2012 and became a coach in both the international and domestic game. He was a batting coach for both Middlesex and England, as well as head coach of Edinburgh Rocks for the inaugural Euro T20 Slam cricket tournament.
In 2006, he won Strictly Come Dancing, and is also an ambassador for the British Asian Trust. Mark is an incredibly popular speaker and is able to talk in great detail on both the playing and coaching sides of cricket.
We hope you enjoyed our quiz! How did you do? Let us know by tagging us on Instagram @evolve_talent_speakers and stay tuned for more sporting quizzes!
For more details on how to book one of these speakers, or for more suggestions, please contact us at info@evolve-agency.co.uk
Evolve’s Founder and Director Benny has over 14 years’ experience working across PR, events, talent management and sourcing high-profile hosts and speakers for events. This has seen him manage talent...
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