Bring on your dead

[Lillian Thomson]

During a moment of acute boredom I occasionally have a totally pointless idea for a bit of research. I have to say I surpassed all expectations with this and then couldn't be bothered finding the answer.

I was wondering how far back you would have to go to find an England Test XI where more than half the team are dead.

Upon wondering how far back to start it suddenly sprang to mind that Cowdrey, Luckhurst, Titmus, Greig and Denness from the Ashes Tour of 74/75 are all gone. Only four ever played in the same side, so it's nowhere near the answer. But it was enough to give up and reach for the mogadons.

 

[wpdavid]

I occasionally wonder if I could produce an England XI since I started watching the game (1971) who are no longer with us. As well as the guys you listed, Bairstow, Dilley, Woolmer and D'Oliveira sprang immediately to mind. And Wilf Slack, who died obscenely young.

That's ten. Anyone else?

 

[NUFAN]

I occasionally wonder if I could produce an England XI since I started watching the game (1971) who are no longer with us. As well as the guys you listed, Bairstow, Dilley, Woolmer and D'Oliveira sprang immediately to mind. And Wilf Slack, who died obscenely young.

That's ten. Anyone else?

Depressing thread, but Ben Hollioake was the first name to come to my mind. There would have to be someone else who had more of a Test career, I would imagine.

 

[wpdavid]

How on earth did I forget Ben Hollioake? Too recent, I suppose.

Another all-rounder who's no longer with us is Graham Stevenson.

And, finally, I think, Graham Roope.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

I occasionally wonder if I could produce an England XI since I started watching the game (1971) who are no longer with us. As well as the guys you listed, Bairstow, Dilley, Woolmer and D'Oliveira sprang immediately to mind. And Wilf Slack, who died obscenely young.

That's ten. Anyone else?

It's surprising, and perhaps gratifying, how few spring to mind. I thought of Graham Roope, Chris Balderstone and Neil Williams - their Test careers were limited.

 

[wpdavid]

Going back to your original question, we're probably looking at mid to late 1960s. Any team with Cowdrey, Barrington and D'Oliveira gets us half way there.

That being said, maybe one of the ROW games in 1970. IIRC Cowdrey, D'Oliveira, Luckhurst and Denness all featured. Did Greig play in one of those games as well?

 

[Marius]

Of the XI who played in South Africa's last Test before isolation three are dead - Eddie Barlow, Tiger Lance, and Denis Lindsay.

The first-post isolation Test XI isn't too far off - already two are dead - Hansie Cronje and Tertius Bosch.

 

[fredfertang]

England against the WIndies in '63 has only five survivors - Barrington, Shackleton, Lock, Titmus, Trueman and Sharpe all gone

 

[Lillian Thomson]

England against the WIndies in '63 has only five survivors - Barrington, Shackleton, Lock, Titmus, Trueman and Sharpe all gone

The Fifth Test of that series could be the answer. I can't be arsed looking any further forward just before midnight on a Friday. 5 of those names played plus Statham instead of Titmus.

 

[killermiller]

I was wondering how far back you would have to go to find an England Test XI where more than half the team are dead. Kingroot

 

[fredfertang]

I was wondering how far back you would have to go to find an England Test XI where more than half the team are dead. Kingroot

Is that Marjorie?

 

[mr_mister]

I loved watching Hansie bat. Such a tragedy he actually passed away after everything


and I loved Ben Hollioake too but I doubt he would have played many more tests

 

[fredfertang]

But for that accident Ben Hollioake would be 37 - he might have been captaining England on Wednesday - sobering thought

 

[mr_mister]

he was better than his brother and still very very young but his FC record wasn't that impressive. His ODI knock of 63 however was very memorable and endearing. No way would he have ever captained his country