Jack Hobbs

1882 - 1963

Hobbs was christened John Berry Hobbs (16 December 1882 - 21 December 1963), John, or Jack as he was always known, was born near Fenner's in Cambridge and was the eldest of twelve children, six boys and six girls.
'Jack' Hobbs played cricket for Surrey and England and he scored more first-class runs and more first-class centuries than any other cricketer. Over half of his career total of centuries were scored after he had turned 40 years old, and in 1929, aged 46, he became the oldest man ever to score a century in a Test match. He also scored over 1,000 runs in a season of English County cricket on 26 separate occasions.
When Hobbs played his first first-class match for Surrey on April 24th 1905, then 22 years and 4 months old, the other side, called The Gentlemen of England, was captained by W.G. Grace. It is said Grace was heard saying about Hobbs that "He's goin' to be a good'un". He could not have dreamt that 20 years later Hobbs would beat his own record of 126 centuries in a lifetime -- and go on to amass 197 before retiring, and receive a knighthood for services rendered.

Born: December 16, 1882, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Died: December 21, 1963, Hove, United Kingdom
Test debut (cap 157): 1 January 1908 v Australia

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