Caddick the cricketer and DIY man

A host of former England stars have paid tribute to Somerset and England fast bowler Andy Caddick, who is about to retire from first-class cricket.

The 40-year-old will call time on his career at the end of the month, after 17 years at the top level in England.

"To me you can call him an England great," former England captain Alec Stewart told BBC Points West.

"The spell he bowled against the West Indies at Lord's in 2000 was the best spell I ever kept wicket to."

Another ex-England skipper, Graham Gooch added: "I was responsible for bringing him into the side in 1993. He was a very talented bowler and so he proved over the next decade."

Caddick began and finished his international career against Australia taking 234 wickets in 62 Tests, leaving him eighth in England's all-time list of wicket-takers.

It's the only reason I picked him because he could fix my TV in Pakistan! Nasser Hussain

His final Test came at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where he took 7-94 as England ran out winners by 225 runs.

While very highly regarded at international level, Caddick holds legendary status at the County Ground having played 553 games for Somerset.

Just two years ago, at the age of 38, he was the leading wicket-taker in England with 75 scalps as Somerset gained promotion back to Division One of the County Championship.

"Somerset will miss him big time," said former Somerset and England all-rounder Sir Ian Botham.

"He may well have been born in New Zealand but he is as Somerset as you can get."

Another Somerset hero of yesteryear Vic Marks added: "If you were picking an all-time Somerset team you'd have Caddick in there opening the bowling with Garner."

606: DEBATE Share your memories of Caddick's career

The six foot five paceman has also earned the reputation as a bit of a handyman along the way.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain joked: "It's the only reason I picked him because he could fix my TV in Pakistan."

"He had a Swiss Army knife which could do anything, mend my cricket bat, sort out my wicket-keeping gloves," added Stewart. "If we were on a plane and lost a wing he could even mend that!"

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