ENGLAND and Essex cricketers past and present have raised a glass to the success of a long-established wine merchant in the county.

Batsman Alastair Cook, who recently captained England’s winning tour in Bangladesh, and predecessor Graham Gooch, who is now in coaching, were invited by The Wine Company in Colchester to host a lunch for managers from JP Morgan Asset Management and their clients, who bid for the event at a charity auction for the Graham Gooch Scholarship.

Based on Gosbeck’s Park, the independent wine merchant, owned by the Wheeler family for six generations, traces its history in Colchester back to 1854. The company, which has a portfolio of more than 1,000 wines, now operates a major online wine purchase and delivery service, comple- menting its mail order service.

Chairman Richard Wheeler said: “It was a real honour to welcome two England stars of such outstanding calibre. They entertained our guests with wonderful humour and insight into life both on and off the cricket field.

“Both Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara, two of England’s current players, are graduates of the Gooch Scholarship and we are pleased to have been working with Graham for many years on the project.”