Sir Leonard Hutton

Len Hutton’s career was split by the Second World War, and unfortunately, it was also the war that was responsible for a more circumspect batting of Hutton post war. But that still did not deter Hutton from scoring almost 7000 Test runs at a superb average of almost 57.

But more than the runs, it was his hunger for learning that got noticed by everyone around. Legendary cricketer George Hirst went to the extent of telling him that there is nothing left to teach him. It was this appetite that held him good stead, as he tackled pace and spin with equal poise; he was the only Englishman who played spin of Ramadhin and Valentine with ease in the early 1950s. Hutton once held the record for the highest individual Test score of 364 – which was broken by Sobers later – against a strong Australian side, which helped his side thrash the Aussies by an innings and 500 odd runs. His first class record was as impeccable, as he scored more than 40000 runs, however, he also holds the undesired distinction of being the first batsman in the history of Test cricket to be given out ‘obstructing the field’.

In the 1950s, Hutton became the first professional captain to lead England. Later he was also a part of the panel of selectors for England.