Cricket is an exciting sport, and most of the time, batting first comes to mind. Explosive numbers usually stand out in cricket, so batsmen and bowlers are often the star players. Wicket-keepers also deserve a spotlight because they play a big role. 

Only a few players have mastered the art of wicket-keeping. One player who could arguably be the best to ever play the position is Jack Russell, one of England’s greatest players in its long history.

Russell had unmatched technical skill

During his career, Russell was known for his quick hands, but he was more than that. He was a master technician with his movements behind the stumps. Precision was always a big part of his glove work, which impressed the fans who watched the matches. 

Russell rarely missed a beat, as he easily dealt with late movement off the seam or a variable bounce. It is tough to keep up with top-tier players like England’s spin-bowling maestro Phil Tufnell or swinging bowler Angus Fraser.

Adaptability was one of Russell’s biggest strengths as he kept playing around the world on suboptimal pitches, but his footwork never wavered.

His consistency made him a technically proficient wicket-keeper who continues to be the gold standard. That makes him one of the best in his position during his time, and possibly the greatest ever.

Russell had many iconic performances and records

The aesthetics of his game were not the best part of Russell’s game. He combined that elegant play with some of the best numbers and performances you can get from a wicket-keeper. 

Russell’s most iconic moment came during a match against South Africa in Johannesburg in 1995. He had a match-saving 94 not out, which showed his mental toughness and how he could lead his team to a win. 

In first-class cricket, Russell racked up 540 dismissals, including 1,192 catches and 91 stumpings. Those numbers place him in the top tier of keepers. For England, he played 54 Tests and 40 One-Day Internationals, which he kept contributing to as a crucial keeper.

A strong cultural and cricketing influence

Russell was more than just a cricketer because he was a character off the field. He left a lasting impression on people who liked English cricket as he was famous for his fun training routines, painting skills, and even his love for tea. He can be described as a cult hero for England, as he was a serious player, but he had some eccentric tastes.

His legacy remains strong today because he inspired the modern-day keepers. Players like Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow see him as their idol, which should cement Russell as one of the best, even the outright best.

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Heading into their One-Day International series, England knew the West Indies would be a challenging opponent. Amidst all the errors, England took the win mostly because of the fantastic Joe Root, who had his 18th ODI century while surpassing 7,000 runs in the format.

Root stands out for England

It was a monstrous performance from Root, scoring 166 off 139 balls. This is now an insurmountable lead for England, as they have a 2-0 advantage over the West Indies in their three-match ODI series. 

After the game, Root was glad he could showcase his quality as a top player, but he kept giving credit to his team for helping him.

He said, ‘There have been a lot of England teams I’ve played in before where we’ve ended up with 350 and then it’s a completely different chase�

At the same time, Root also wanted to shower Harry Brook’s captaincy. It was a great win for England and an excellent display for their star player. The Three Lions have a bright future ahead of them as they keep competing with a stacked roster led by Brook and Root.

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Joe Root has become one of the most recognisable names in English cricket history due to his leadership and productivity. He made the latest headlines in May 2025 after becoming the first English player and fifth-ever player to score more than 13,000 runs in Test cricket. 

This is the latest feat in his career, which deserves a deeper dive. Have a look at why Root deserves more love as a superstar cricket player.

Consistent performance across many formats

A big part of why Root is a star player is his ability to adapt. He is a well-travelled player as he has performed at the highest level across all three formats of cricket. He knows how to play more patiently in Test cricket, keep up with the pace that picks up in ODI, and compete in the fast-paced environment of the T20 format. 

This ability to naturally switch across formats made him invaluable to English cricket. He was a mainstay for England for over a decade, getting over 30 centuries and pulling off magical moments often. 

A good example of this is his innings of 180 and 200 in 2013 and 2014. It was a strong performance that cemented him as one of England’s top players and leaders.

England had outstanding batting strength because of Joe Root. He was a big part of the team as a productive batsman despite the rest of the team’s struggles with inconsistent batting outside of Root.

A reliable leader

Root’s legacy goes beyond the stats as he was England’s Test captain for a long time. He took over as captain in 2017 and lasted until 2022 after leading them 64 times. Root always had strong leadership qualities, as he always stayed calm under pressure. He led from the front with a bat, but he never shied away from criticism. 

Root handled the role with humility and grace amidst all the ups and downs. He was a big part of how England rebuilt the team, as he brought the stability the team needed after a tough time in the mid-2010s. When he stepped away, he knew it was time. However, he was proud of what he did as a leader.

He is respected by his peers

The cricketing world respects Root for what he has done as a player. He carries himself with the right attitude, which helps him earn everyone’s respect. Players like Steve Smith and Kane Williamson loved watching and playing against him. 

With all these reasons, it is fair to say that Root deserves more respect. He is a top-tier player, and he will continue to stand out as a superstar for England.

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England has been pivotal in shaping cricket worldwide from its inception to today. It is a country jam-packed with tradition and iconic players throughout its history. These special players have left an indelible mark on the country’s rich cricket history. 

James Anderson

During his career, James Anderson cemented himself as England’s finest pace bowler. He is the all-time leading wicket-taker among fast bowlers in English Test cricket with 704. At the same time, he is ranked third worldwide, as he was only behind Shane Warne from Australia and Muttiah Muralitharan from Sri Lanka in Test cricket.

Anderson specialised in his deadly swing bowling, which tormented batsmen for over two decades. He was a player who stepped up for England whenever they needed a star player. Anderson had a career worthy of a legend, as he had plenty of feats.

The legendary bowler does not see himself as a top-tier player, but his feats say otherwise. He was a stellar cricket player, and he deserves to be known as one of England’s best. Anderson is not playing with England any more after retiring in 2024, but he still plays for Lancashire. When he does step away from the sport entirely, he should be unanimously known as a legend.

Jack Hobbs

When it comes to sheer stats, Sir Jack Hobbs is one of the best in England’s history. With over 61,000 first-class runs and a whopping 199 centuries in his career, Hobbs is an all-time great. 

He was a machine with runs, as he found ways to keep scoring. His records have stood the test of time as he was a special player. The batting was always fun to watch since it was effective, but he made it graceful. He was worthy of his moniker of ‘The Master�as he was a consistent player, who was also fun to watch.

On and off the field, Hobbs was an icon of the sport. He was a pioneer for cricket, as Hobbs remains one of its biggest names. He might have played in the early 1900s, but he is still known as an icon of the Three Lions nearly a century after he retired.

Ian Botham

Every time Ian Botham rocked up to the field, he helped his team compete. He was a true all-rounder with his batting and bowling, but he always did it with a sense of flair. He was one of the most entertaining cricket players England ever had, as he captured everyone’s attention in the 1970s and 1980s with his flashy moments.

Botham can always turn a game on its head with his aggressive style, which helped his team win the matches. His centuries and wicket-taking made him a national hero of cricket in England. 

The 1981 Ashes remains one of his best performances, becoming known as ‘Botham’s Ashes� It is now etched into English folklore as he stood out with the combination of stats and moments that will forever be remembered.

Alastair Cook

As England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer with over 12,000 runs and 33 centuries, Alastair Cook is an icon. He was a master of concentration and technique, which made him the backbone of England’s batting for over a decade from 2006 to 2018.

He was a superb batsman, but at the same time, he was also a captain. He led with humility and was always determined to get a good result. England did not win a major trophy during his tenure, but he was superb in memorable wins like the 2013 and 2015 Ashes.

These are four of England’s best-ever players, and they deserve all the credit. They proved England is a top cricketing country, and they will continue to be for a long time. With other countries proving their worth as cricket hubs, England has kept up with them at the highest level of international cricket due to its players.

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After nine years in her role as captain, Heather Knight has stepped away from her captaincy. This comes as a consequence of poor results, including England’s group stage exit in the T20 World Cup and the loss to Australia in the Ashes in 2025. 

With Knight’s exit, the England and Wales Cricket Board selected Nat Sciver-Brunt as the captain across all three formats. She is not the only addition to the national team as former England captain Charlotte Edwards is the new head coach after Jon Lewis.

Sciver-Brunt is ready for the task

Sciver-Brunt accepted the new role after being asked by Edwards to be captain. She is ready for the challenge amidst the pressure. 

She said, ‘I’m really proud to take on the role of captain of the England women’s team and it’s an honor to have been asked by Charlotte, someone I’ve always looked up to�

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