PHIL TUFNELL performed 42 Check matches for England and is likely one of the nation’s best spinners.
However the well-liked Tuffers, 57, revealed simply how chaotic the organisation on the ECB was throughout his time within the group.
Phil Tufnell is on I’m A Superstar… South AfricaCredit score: Rex
Tuffers performed 42 Checks for England between 1990 and 2001Credit score: PA:Press Affiliation
And at one level the admin was so unhealthy, he must verify Teletext on his TV at dwelling to see if he was within the squad.
Tufnell is at present on ITV’s I’m A Superstar… South Africa and in tonight’s episode will get chatting along with his camp-mates concerning the iconic Ceefax pages within the days earlier than smartphones.
He stated: “England was once so badly run after I performed, I used to discovered whether or not I used to be taking part in for England by Teletext. Web page 340.
“You used to activate the bloody telly and see your identify up there and nobody had phoned you.
“How bloody village is that?
“Nobody informed you you have been dropped. Ridiculous.
“Maybe I’m being a bit harsh but it surely wasn’t notably skilled.
“It’s now, extraordinarily, all monitored and bloody diets.”
The revelation left his fellow camp-mates surprised they usually may barely imagine the dearth of communication from selectors for the nationwide group.
Tufnell took 121 Check wickets at a mean of 37.68 between 1990 and 2001 – with a career-best 7-47.
The left-armer spent the vast majority of his first-class county cricket profession with Middlesex, racking up 1,057 wickets.
He was nicknamed the Cat for his skill to go to sleep within the nook of the dressing room and likewise Two Sugars in a nod to his love of tea.
After retiring in 2002, he stepped into the media as a summariser for the BBC’s Check Match Particular and had his personal radio present with Michael Vaughan.
Tufnell was additionally a long-running captain on A Query Of Sport, received I’m A Celeb in 2003 and appeared on a bunch of different TV reveals together with Gap In The Wall, Would I Lie To You? and Strictly Come Dancing.
He’s additionally an Arsenal fan and an envoy for The Kids’s Belief charity supporting children with mind accidents and neurodisabilities.
- Watch I’m A Superstar… South Africa tonight, Thursday 11 Might, on ITV1 and ITVX