Sir John (Jack) Hobbs

The Master

A dignified, charming and unselfish man, Jack Hobbs was awarded his county cap after two appearances for Surrey, the second providing him with the first of his 61 first-class centuries. Over 29 years he amassed 61,237 runs and as the game's heaviest run-scorer became one of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the 20th Century. Though appearing frail he had strength, stamina and resilience and 98 of his 197 centuries came after he turned 40. A brilliant fieldsmen and useful if occasional bowler, 2,493 of his Test runs, including nine centuries, came in Australia. In Tests, he shared eight opening partnerships of over 100 with Wilfred Rhodes and 15 with Herbert Sutcliffe and was the first to score more centuries than W.G. Grace. But for the Great War, his record would have been more imposing.

'...I have never had one hour's coaching from anybody in my life, and the reason why I emphasise this point... is that I am a natural batsman, entirely self-taught.' Jack Hobbs

'He had all the gifts of the great batsman. Others scored faster; hit the ball harder; more obviously murdered bowling. No one else, though, ever batted with more consummate skill than his, which was based essentially on an infallible sympathy with the bowled ball.' John Arlott

The Stats

Jack Hobbs was the most consistently heavy run scorer the game has ever seen. Classified as a professional player, Hobbs was indeed the consummate 'professional' taking the discipline of batting to new heights and succeeding against all bowling attacks under all conditions over nearly thirty years. One can only wonder what his record might have been had the First World War not intervened.

Did you know?

Jack Hobbs is the oldest player to have scored a Test century when aged 46. In fact, 8 of Hobbs' 15 Test centuries were scored after he had turned 40.