Michael captained England in 51 tests between 2003 and 2008, winning 26 – a national record – and losing just 11. Perhaps the highlight of Michael’s career was the impressive Ashes victory over Australia in 2005, England’s first Ashes victory since 1986/7.

He was awarded an OBE for his successful captaincy and Sheffield City Council gave him the Freedom of the City in the same year.

Although born in Greater Manchester, his family moved to Sheffield and he attended Silverdale School, where he played for the school cricket team. It was at this time that he first caught the eye of Doug Padgett, the Yorkshire coach, who later offered Michael a place at the Yorkshire academy. Michael has not only gone ahead of the great test captain Peter May in terms of Tests won, he did it in record time, just 35 games to May’s 41. Mike Brearley, generally regarded as England’s finest strategist, won only 18 matches.