Craig White

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Born in Yorkshire but raised in Australia, Craig White was on the fringe of the England side for a couple of years without really establishing his claim. He bowls a lively fast-medium from a relaxed run-up, with an occasional ball of greater pace, and a genuinely fast bouncer.

White's action is by no means classical, but a long delivery stride and a quick arm, combined with a strong shoulder, allow him to generate suprising pace. All this after beginning his career in first-class cricket as an off-spinning all-rounder. A product of the same Academy intake as Shane Warne (he played for Warne's state, Victoria), there were serious doubts about the legality of his action. To overcome the problem, he took up bowling quickly.

White's batting matured before his bowling, and he has made several centuries at number six for Yorkshire, as well as opening in one-day games. His excellent fielding makes him particularly well-suited to limited-overs cricket. After a number of years in the international wilderness, he was called into the England one-day squad for the triangular series in South Africa in January 2000, where he surprised many with a strong performance.

The following summer, White finally came into his own. He was the fastest bowler on either side in the series between England and the West Indies. In the final Test he yorked Brian Lara for a golden duck, taking a five-wicket haul in West Indies' first innings. White's batting continued to improve the following winter, when he played an important role in England's historic 1-0 series win in Pakistan. His contributions were not as great on the following tour to Sri Lanka, but he has been earmarked by selectors as a valuable all-rounder, justifying the faith first shown in him by the then chairman of selectors, Ray Illingworth, at the start of his international career.

Injury then spoiled White's Test summer. Never fully fit, he failed to recapture his form of 2000. Absence from international duty did allow him to play more for Yorkshire, and he made several telling contributions as a batsman to his county's successful CricInfo Championship campaign. Such form encouraged the England selectors to include him in both winter tour squads. After a quiet first Test in India, he came good in Ahmedabad with his first Test century. Furthermore, it was scored from number seven in the order at a time when England were in some disarray at 180 for 5.

This formidable effort erased the disappointment of his 93 against Pakistan the previous winter, and was necessary as he was some way below his best as a bowler after failing to recover fully from the knee operation that kept him out of the Zimbabwe tour at the start of the winter. He failed to gain a place in the side in the one-day internationals in India after further surgery, but was back for the series against New Zealand where he failed to recapture his earlier form and lost his place in the Test side. He appeared to be getting over his ailments when he re-appeared in England colours for the first two Tests against India, culminating in 94 not out at Trent Bridge. However, he then suffered a side strain that prevented him from bowling for the remainder of the season.

White's recovery, and presence in Australia as it emerged that Andrew Flintoff might not be fit for the start of the Ashes series, led to a fresh opportunity when he was added to the England squad as cover.