DOB:08.04.1963 County:Surrey Debutv West Indies, Jamaica, 1989-90 Right hand batsman, wicket-keeper

When James Foster suffered a broken arm early in the season, it signalled the opportunity Stewart was looking for to return to the England team.

Having opted out of the winter tours to India and New Zealand and undergone surgery on his elbows, he remains, at 39, as committed to the cause as ever.

One of the sweetest timers of a cricket ball in world cricket, Stewart made his 15th Test century earlier in the summer, an innings of 123 against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford which helped England to a 10-wicket victory.

Stewart was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1993 and received an MBE five years later, but his stint as England captain ended in disappointment when they under-performed at the 1999 World Cup.

Is determined to atone for that in next year's competition in South Africa, and already looks a certain selection providing he avoids further injury problems.