ROB WHITE: The ex-Northants batsman picks the best XI he has played with and against
1. MIKE HUSSEY – Retired
Fantastic player for Northants and such a positive influence. Knew every player from the academy through to the first team and just led by example. He and Monty Panesar used to be the first and last people in the nets and he had such a hunger for the game. He was relatively unknown when he came over but you could tell he would go on to do great things.
2. STEPHEN PETERS – Northants
Huge things were expected from him from his England U19 days that probably never materialised until he came to Northants. Since he arrived his record at the top of the order is up there with anyone’s. He’s deserved the captaincy the last couple of years and is an unsung hero in county cricket.
3. JIMMY ADAMS – Hampshire
I played with him at Loughborough University and he was very mature even then. You could tell he’d go on to be a good captain and he always seemed to be one step ahead in a game. I can remember him getting a hundred in both innings for Loughborough against Kent which I can’t imagine gets done very often by university students.
4. DAVID SALES – Northants
Loved batting with him as he was such an aggressive player. In his peak he was probably as destructive a player in county cricket as anyone outside of Kevin Pietersen. He was a phenomenal talent and seemed to playing a different ball game to everyone else. He could change a game in an instant and I think he was unlucky not to play for England.
5. MARTIN LOVE – Retired
Probably the most relaxed, laid-back cricketer I ever played with. He had such a simple technique and such a simple way of going about the game. He made everything look very easy and was the best slip fielder I’ve seen. He was a nice man to have around the dressing room as well.
6. CHRIS READ – Nottinghamshire
He captained the British Universities team which I played in and he was established as a great player even then. He’s been one of the top two or three keepers in the country for over a decade and he also gets plenty of runs. Having someone like him on tour to look up to as a young student, to and see how he went about things, was a great.
7. GRAEME SWANN – Retired
We played together from the U10s all the way through and you could always tell he had that X-factor. It probably took a bit longer to come through but he always had great confidence in his own ability with bat and ball and he was as strong a personality that I’ve ever played with. He would keep the team going and everything is very lively when he is about.
8. JOHAN VAN DER WATH – Retired
He could be absolutely devastating on his day with the ball and he was such a destructive batter as well – he could hit the ball further than anyone I’ve seen. You would think you’d lost a game but he would come in and turn the situation around and he was absolutely brilliant for us.
9. CHAMINDA VAAS – Retired
He was at the back end of his career when he came to us but he had huge skill in his bowling. He got his wickets with know-how and he was a great guy off the field as well – softly spoken and really friendly and he fitted in around the dressing room really easily. The perfect overseas player.
10. JACK BROOKS – Yorkshire
He came into the game late so he still has that freshness and love for the game. He gives his all and he loves playing professional cricket and he can bowl genuinely quickly. It was good to see someone who had played some club cricket develop so quickly into the leading bowler in our attack and he’s just gone on.
11. MONTY PANESAR – Essex
Went to university with him and was there when he first turned up at Northants. Just had that natural ability. He could bowl the ball quickly but still get huge revs on it and on a turning wicket I think he’s still as good as anyone in the world. He’s had tough times recently but he’s a fantastic bowler and hopefully he can get back to that.
