People are simply going for the big names without considering their personalities and suitability for a dinner party setting.
Don Bradman was by all accounts an aloof and miserly individual who some of his own teammates disliked.
Imran Khan by his own admission is painfully shy on a one-to-one basis.
Viv Richards, who I have utmost respect for, is not a riveting speaker. Ditto for Sachin Tendulkar.
My criteria is the guest must be a rich storyteller, well informed with a good sense of humour. So here goes:
1) Mike Atherton - educated and can speak at length on many subjects.
2) Kumar Sangakkara - as above and has played the modern game.
3) Geoffrey Boycott - guaranteed to provide needle and controversy !
4) Wasim Akram - for all his flaws as a commentator, he's a great storyteller. Lancashire connection with Atherton and has competed against Sanga.
5) Richie Benaud - a cool, wise head who'll prevent the occasion from spiralling out of control.
Honourable mentions:
Inzamam-ul-Haq - if you talk to his peers, Inzy had the best sense of humour in the 90s Pakistan dressing room. His one liners and deadpan delivery is gold. Sadly his English would be a barrier to conversation !
Michael Holding - passionate, articulate and can make reading the phone book sound riveting.
Tony Cozier - if an Angel came down from the heavens, it would sound like Cozier with his Bajan accent. Incredibly knowledgeable and by all accounts liked a good time. No he wasn't an international cricketer but played at a local level.
Ian Bishop - same as above two.
David Lloyd - Never short of words, jokes or stories.
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