Famous Cricketers No 65 - Len Hutton

classic innings of 53 to make the top score in England’s only innings before master-minding New Zealand’s dismissal for a record low Test score of 26. The series in Australia was, however, a great triumph for him as he became the first England captain since Douglas Jardine to win the ‘Ashes’ in Australia and thus retained them after leading his country to victory in England in 1953. After his experiences in facing Lindwall and Miller, he was determined that Australia should be faced with high-standard pace bowling once England had the necessary personnel. There was much controversy in the choice of Tyson ahead of the more experienced Trueman, although it is said that he wanted both of them. The combination of Tyson and Statham proved to be a match-winning formula with the high-class Yorkshire spinners, Wardle and Appleyard, in support. The series began disastrously at Brisbane when Australia, having been put in to bat, scored 601-8dec, against an all-pace attack, Tyson 1/160 and Statham 2/123. Alec Bedser was dropped after this game, the manner of its announcement causing much comment, to provide a more balanced attack. Tyson, strongly supported by Statham, proved irresistible in the next three Tests which were all won by England, whilst fine bowling by Wardle would have no doubt brought a final victory in the fifth Test at Sydney but for the loss of over three days’ play. England’s other controversial choice on this tour was the 21 year-old Oxford University and Kent amateur Colin Cowdrey who more than justified the faith of the selectors. Together with the slightly older Peter May he virtually carried England’s batting during the series to complement the great bowling referred to above. This was really a time of great riches in bowling when one considers that such superb bowlers as Trueman, Lock, Laker and Tattersall did not even make the trip! Hutton’s tactics on this tour were also considered to very controversial at the time. As his attack was based on speed and eight-ball overs were in operation, he deliberately slowed the over-rate so as to conserve the energies of the spearhead bowlers. Today, as with his tactics at Headingley in 1953, there seems to be nothing unusual in this, as not only did the West Indian bowlers in recent times make a fine art of prolonging their overs, but India with two spinners in operation have been known to bowl ten six-ball overs to the hour. As we have seen in the 1954 season, Hutton was not a fit man and suffered terribly from physical ailments and mental stress on the tour; indeed, it is said that so worn-out did he feel before one of the Tests that senior players, led by Denis Compton, were forced to persuade him that he had to play. As was the case for the Pakistan series in 1954, there was much debate in the press concerning the captaincy for the tour with David Sheppard’s name again being well to the fore. This must have added greatly to the strain, but his great strength of character, his unrivalled knowledge of the game, the adherence to a carefully thought-out policy and the enormous respect in which he was held by the team were all factors in his great triumph which set the seal on a wonderful career. Own Team O M R W Opp Ct Total Total 485. MCC v Western Australia, Perth, October 15, 16, 18, 19 (MCC won by seven wickets) retired hurt 145 321 103 did not bat - 40-3 255 486. MCC v South Australia, Adelaide, October 29, 30, November 1, 2 (MCC won by 21 runs) c R.C.Roxby b J.W.Wilson 37 246 254 2 c G.B.Hole b R.C.Roxby 98 181 152 487. MCC v New South Wales, Sydney, November 12, 13, 15, 16 (Match drawn) c A.K.Davidson b J.C.Treanor 102 252 382 c R.B.Simpson b J.C.Treanor 87 327 78-2 488. ENGLAND v AUSTRALIA, Brisbane, November 26, 27, 29, 30, December 1 (Australia won by an innings and 154 runs) c G.R.A.Langley b R.R.Lindwall 4 190 601-8d lbw b K.R.Miller 13 257 489. MCC v Victoria, Melbourne, December 10, 11, 13, 14 (Match drawn) lbw b S.J.E.Loxton 41 312 277 60