A stocky bits-and-pieces all-rounder, Ian Blackwell, was picked in the English ODI side for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002 after Andrew Flintoff announced his unavailability. Blackwell was a powerful lower-order batsman and a nagging left-arm spinner - he did produce that occasional good performance but lacked consistency. There were complaints about his fitness as well.

Blackwell hit his only ODI fifty against India, albeit in a losing cause. Meanwhile, his only Test came against India at Nagpur. Filling in for Ashely Giles' absence, Blackwell floundered both with the bat and ball. He figured in 34 ODIs before
being discarded.

However, Blackwell continued to toil hard in county cricket before an acute shoulder injury forced him into retirement in 2013.

By Cricbuzz Staff