Mark Christopher Ilott (born 27 August 1970) is a former English professional cricketer. Having previously played with the minor county Hertfordshire, Ilott began his career with Essex in 1988. A left-arm swing bowler in the mould of John Lever, previously prolific with the county, Ilott took 64 wickets as Essex won the County Championship in 1992. Ilott played his first Test in the third match of the 1993 Ashes, a match in which England gave debuts to four players (most notably Graham Thorpe). Ilott was part of a four-man contingent from Essex in the side at this point, alongside Graham Gooch, Nasser Hussain and Peter Such. Ilott took four wickets in the match, but only four more in his next two Test matches. Although all England bowlers struggled at this time, none but Such taking more t