Sons of three former England players are appearing in the current Test at Lord's? (27 July 2002)

In the annals of Test cricket, there are but very few instances of fathers and sons playing Test cricket. Understandably then, it brings to sharp relief the rare instance of the sons of three former England players appearing in the ongoing Test against India at Lord's.

The trio - Alec Stewart, Mark Butcher and Simon Jones - have, put together, already played more Tests than their fathers. Stewart has now become the most-capped English Test player, while Butcher has become one of the bulwarks of Nasser Hussain's England side. It is only 23-year-old Jones who remains wet behind the ears, playing as he is his debut Test.

Stewart's father, 69-year-old Mickey Stewart, had earlier represented England in eight Tests between 1962 and 1964. Alan Butcher, meanwhile, opened the England innings in a solitary Test against India in 1979. Jeff Jones, Simon Jones' father, was a left-arm fast bowler who played 15 Tests, making his debut at Mumbai in January 1964 against India. A serious elbow injury early in 1968 cut short his international career.

Interestingly, Alan Butcher, Jeff Jones and Simon Jones all made their debuts against India, while Mickey Stewart, Alec Stewart and Mark Butcher have also been involved in Tests against the men from the sub-continent.

For more details on all the above facts check out [ StatsGuru ]

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