The expendables of international cricket

John Emburey – Before Shane Warne, John Emburey could have applied for the right of being the best spin bowler in the world. Even if that is something of an overstatement, Emburey was definitely the best off-spinner of his time and the best spinner England had produced since Derek Underwood.

It is understandable then that England decided to call on his resources at the age of 40 for the tours of India and Sri Lanka and the Ashes which followed. Emburey had marginal successes, the most notable of them being his form with the bat where he notched up consecutive scores of 59, 55 not out and 37 against Sri Lanka and Australia. But that was all to it.

Two years later Emburey was back at 43 playing the West Indians at Old Trafford. While his 30 overs went wicketless, Emburey caught Junior Murray off the bowling off Mike Watkinson and helped Dominic Cork swell England’s lead past 200 with a 51 minute 8 with the bat.