The XI

What does this team tell us?

England all-time XI: The jury's picks seem a comment on the reduced role of skill in the modern game. By David Frith

Old gold

England's all-time side has just two players from the last 30-odd years

The hardest picks

All-time England XI: Few tasks in cricket are tougher than opening the batting in England, and picking openers for an England dream team is not easy either

Middle order

Meaty in the middle

All-time XI: Barring an alpha male, England's middle order has everything: dashers, artists, stonewallers, and all of them graceful

Allrounders

Big men, big deeds

All-time England XI: No dressing room can be big enough for more than one of these three allrounders - Tony Greig, Ian Botham, Andrew Flintoff

Wicketkeeper

Stumpers and stoppers

All-time XI England: Is competence sufficient, or should only the very best wicketkeeper make the grade?

Fast bowlers

Speed, swerve, smarts

All-Time England XI: Nine contenders for the fast-bowling slots. Which of these greats will make it to the team?

All-Time XI: England

Three lefties and an offie

All-Time England XI: Only four to pick from for the slow bowler's slot, but that doesn't make the task any easier