In terms of pure statistics Sir Jack Hobbs is the most prolific batsman in history. Given the abundance of one-day cricket played nowadays it is unlikely that his overall first-class run tally of 61,237 will ever be matched. No other player has passed the 60,000 mark and no current star has passed 40,000.

 

Hobbs' record of 197 first class centuries is another mark that will take some beating. His durability is underlined by the fact that 98 of those tons came after his 40th birthday.

 

His Test record was also eye-catching with 5410 runs made in 61 Tests at an average of 56. The statistics are all the more remarkable considering his career was disrupted by the First World War and that he was known for giving his wicket away to a deserving bowler once he had reached three figures.

 

Hobbs' county career was spent with Surrey and he made his debut for England in 1907, not quitting the international scene until 1930. He hung up his bat for good four years later.

 

There was more to his game than batting - he was a superb fielder in the outfield. In an epoch when cricket was an amateur sport and athletes were rarely honoured, Hobbs received a knighthood. In the university city of Cambridge there is also a cricket green and pavilion named after the great man, who died in 1963.