So, a couple of years ago I was talking to a cricket-fan friend who'd followed with amusement my growing attachment to the sport, and I happened to mention that I'd settled on the divine David Gower as my favorite cricketer.

"David Gower?" he responded. "You might at least have chosen someone who's still playing!

"Well!" I riposted, eloquent as always. Actually, I suppose I did see my friend's point. Not that there was anything about my choice that I had to apologize for, but my life as a cricket fan might indeed be more satisfying if I were also to select some, er, not-yet- retired player and follow his fortunes, too. The problem was and remains) that the average American (i.e., me) just doesn't get the chance see top-class cricket, not even on TV. David Gower managed to write his way to the head of my all-time list, but it would hardly be reasonable to require that of every player I might ever confer any measure of favor upon. So on what should I base my choice among current cricketers?

When I asked my "Cricketer chat" pals this question in late 2000, they promised to find me another David Gower, and I soon had a whole slate of candidates in front of me.

Problem is, almost all of those candidates are near the end of their international careers... so watch this space for a new slate.