Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Going to the heights

Today's cricket page asks "Who was the greatest all-rounder?". While we will be getting the views of Garry Sobers this week on the current crop, there could soon be one addition to England's ranks. Stuart Broad, son of England's former opener Chris, has been making inroads at Leicestershire: 45 wickets in his 15 matches and a steady left-handed batsman to boot.

And it's not only his worth with bat and ball... he's a tall chap too. Last year it was Essex's Will Jefferson, a shade over 6ft 10, who was being banded as a future England player, then it was Chris Tremlett at 6ft 7.

It is thought that Broad could reach a height of 6ft 8, which would make him the equal tallest man to play Test cricket; Joel Garner performed at that height for his 58 Test for the West Indies. Incidentally, the smallest to play internationally, are thought to be a Fiji pair at 5ft 1, while the heaviest with Derbyshire's W. Foulke at 25 stone.