Famous Cricketers No 65 - Len Hutton

The selectors did not immediately appoint him for all four Tests against the visiting Indians, but made him prove himself in stages. His first Test was on his own ground at Headingley where he was sure to receive a wonderful welcome, but this could bring its own pressures as the Yorkshire crowd would expect to see some memorable batting. As it was, he failed with the bat but impressed with his captaincy as England won by seven wickets with a wonderful Test debut by county colleague Fred Trueman to make the crowd even more happy. England won the series very comfortably, the captain leading the way once again with the bat scoring most runs at the highest average. Wisden commented on his “astute leadership” at Leeds and his “keen captaincy” at Lord’s. During his 104 at Old Trafford he passed Jack Hobbs’ Test aggregate of 5,410 runs. Apart from a remarkable two-match sequence when his contribution to innings victories by Yorkshire was 6 and 1 his batting generally carried all before it. In nine matches between May 31 and July 7 he scored seven centuries with two other scores of over 50. The tributes to his prowess were many. His 132 against Middlesex at Lord’s on a rain-affected pitch in front of a crowd of 20,000, including the Australian statesman, Mr.R.G.Menzies, was described as a masterly display to which his county were greatly indebted. His 189 against Kent at Headingley was evidence of Hutton “in masterly mood.” At Canterbury in the return match with Kent his batting was described thus: “A glorious innings by Hutton … strokes of grace and power in an innings of two hours twenty minutes.” He batted “flawlessly” and took only twenty-seven minutes over his second fifty. For the third time in his career, and once more in a seaside setting, he scored a century in each innings, this time for Yorkshire v the MCC at Scarborough which was yet again “another brilliant display by Hutton.” Always a very safe catcher, he achieved a personal career best with five catches in an innings for the Players against the Gentlemen at Lord’s. He was captain of the Players twice during the season leading his side in what were two very exciting games both made possible by his well-timed declarations. As England’s premier batsman and a successful season as England captain behind him, he could prepare himself mentally and physically during a tour-free winter for the coming of the Australians in the Coronation year. Could England build upon the great victory at Melbourne in 1951 and would Hutton retain the captaincy? Own Team O M R W Opp Ct Total Total 402. Yorkshire v MCC, Lord’s, April 30, May 1 (MCC won by an innings and 23 runs) b F.R.Brown 12 142 318 c J.A.Young b J.C.Laker 13 153 403. Yorkshire v Somerset, Taunton, May (3), 5, (6) (Match drawn) c H.T.F.Buse b H.L.Hazell 52 237-4d 91-6 404. Yorkshire v Oxford University, The Parks, May 7, (8), 9 (Match drawn) c P.D.S.Blake b D.C.P.R.Jowett 65 409-8d 131 405. Yorkshire v Cambridge University, Fenner’s, May 10, 12, 13 (Match drawn) b J.J.Warr 94 345 375-6d lbw b R.G.Marlar 50 159-7 198-2d 406. Yorkshire v Somerset, Huddersfield, May 14, 15 (Yorkshire won by an innings and 32 runs) b H.T.F.Buse 119 371-6d 117 222 407. Yorkshire v Worcestershire, Bradford, May 17, 19 (Yorkshire won by an innings and 73 runs) c G.Dews b G.T.O.Wilson 6 399 114 212 1 408. Yorkshire v Derbyshire, Bramall Lane, May 24, 26, 27 (Yorkshire won by an innings and 26 runs) lbw b H.L.Jackson 1 385-9d 116 243-1 1 409. Yorkshire v Lancashire, Headingley, May 31, June 2, 3 (Match drawn) c R.Tattersall b J.B.Statham152 347-2d 260-9d b J.B.Statham 16 145-8d 146-8 51