What Bradman was to Australia, Hutton was to England

by R. L. Fernando

The late Sir Donald Bradman has been regarded as the ‘Greatest of Greats’ in cricket and in his country, Australia, he is being honoured as an idol. ‘The Don’ richly deserves the honour and respect bestowed on him as his magnificent performances as both batsmen and captain endorse it. He was not honoured by Australia only but also other Test playing nations of the world. He is said to have hit the cricket ball first to perfection with an apple stick and that had shown what a pair of eyes he possessed. So hitting the ball with a blade of wood which was 4 inches in breadth meant nothing to him.

England’s version of ‘The Don’ was Dr. W. G. Grace during the pre-war years. But after World War II it was their ever popular opening batsman from the Yorkshire county, Leonard Hutton, who was later knighted as ‘Sir Len’. Another run machine in the game and how many would remember that one of his hands was short? Despite that physical defect, didn’t he accumulate his runs and his highest Test score of 364 not out in an Ashes Test at the Surrey Oval stood for many, many years before another knight Sir Garfield Sobers broke it. However, today’s honour is held by another West Indian Brian Lara.

LEN HUTTON - (1955) Yorkshire and England. The first professional to be appointed as England’s captain still holds the record for the most runs made in one calendar month-1249. Had a wonderful technique and the battering he took from Australia’s pace battery of Ray Lindwall and Keith Miller speaks of his application in the game especially at a time. When England’s batting depended largely on his success. His right arm was shorter than his left after injuring it in the war. But his escquisite off driving was an object lesson to youngsters. He was heavily criticized for not using his feet to the slow bowlers as he opted to play them from the crease. However, his reply to that was "go through my record" and anyone could see how it suited him. As a captain, he won back the Ashes for England and never lost a series against any other Test nation. A true Yorkshireman who hated the enemy and played it hard to win or in the least avoid defeat. His tactics although within the laws had at times spoiled the interest of the game. For example a slow over rate.

(Career) - (Batting) 814 innings, 40140 runs, 129 centuries. (Tests) 138, runs 6971, centuries 19, highest score of 364 not out.

JIM LAKER - (1956), Surrey, Essex and England. Will be long remembered for his world record of 19 wickets in the 4th Test against Australia at Old Trafford, Lancashire in 1956. His total of 46 wickets during that same series is also a record for a single series. In that match Laker was ably supported by that other great spinner left armer Tony Lock who sent down as many as 69 overs for just one wicket in comparison to Laker’s 68 overs. Always operated with a fine high arm action so that his right hand brushed his ear.

He possessed everything — Flight, spin accuracy and direction. He also revelled in bowling the ‘floater’ which puzzled many a batsman to be caught behind or in the slips. He was also no mean batsman with a Test highest of 63. Also a safe gully fielder.

(Career) - 1944 wickets for 35789 runs. (Tests) 193 wickets for 4099 runs, best figures of 10 for 53.

PBH May - (1957) Surrey and England. Captained England more than any other Test captain on 41 occasions. Occupies one of the top spots as a high class batsman and had a wonderful defensive technique and fine attacking strokes, especially his classical on drive. Scored a century in his first Test for England at the age of 21 and later went on to greater doings. Off the field, he was quiet, shy, sensitive, but friendly. He often played it tough and conceded nothing.

(Career) - (Batting) 618 innings, 27592 runs, 85 centuries. (Tests) 106 innings, 4537 runs, 13 centuries, highest score of 286 not out.