Alec Stewart

As an opening batsman, Alec’s role was often shaped by the selectors’ need for balance. He frequently swapped wicket-keeping duties with Jack Russell throughout the 1990s, but Alec’s preference for standing back behind the stumps eventually led to him becoming the regular England wicketkeeper. In 1998, he took over the England captaincy from Mike Atherton and immediately led the team to its first major series win in 12 years, defeating South Africa. His leadership was driven by passion rather than tactical nous, and after a disappointing Ashes series loss and a poor performance in the 1999 World Cup, he was harshly dismissed as captain.

Alec returned to top form in the 2000 one-day triangular series and made a memorable century in his 100th Test match. The standing ovation he received signified his status as a national icon. However, his image took a hit during England’s 2000-01 tour of Pakistan, when an Indian bookmaker alleged that Alec had accepted money for information during England’s tour of India in 1992-93. Despite this controversy, he survived and, in 2002, became England’s most-capped Test cricketer, surpassing Graham Gooch’s record of 118 Test appearances.

Although there were calls for a younger wicketkeeper to replace him, Alec continued to play for England until his retirement in 2003, following a drawn series against South Africa. His final match was at The Oval, where he scored 38, but more importantly, England emerged victorious—a fitting end to his distinguished career.

Now, Alec works in the media and is a popular figure on the after-dinner and motivational speaking circuits, sharing his remarkable cricketing journey and leadership insights with audiences worldwide.