Sky Sports - England in Australia

The very definition of an opener capable of dropping anchor, Boycott was a player who frustrated his opponents and riled his own team-mates.

A proud Yorkshireman who survived a near-death experience as a child, he had a ruthless desire to score runs without taking risks, no matter what the match situation.

The right-hander had a defensive technique that was solid enough to keep some of the finest fast bowlers the game has ever seen at bay, while even when well set there was never any inclination to move through the gears - indeed he only seemed to have one.

His drive to succeed meant he didn't exactly buy into the team ethic but that did lead to a superb career for both country and county.

By the time he packed in during 1986, Boycott had made over 48,000 first-class runs, 8,114 of them at Test level from 108 appearances, despite a lengthy absence from the side due to a self-imposed exile.

He finished with a final tally of 151 tons - the 100th of those possibly being his most memorable, as he reached it in a Test match against Australia at his home ground of Headingley soon atfer making his international comeback.

His batting records mean his useful medium pace gets over-looked. His bowling is perhaps best remembered for the fact that he used to send down some of his overs while still wearing his cap.