M.C.C. TEAM'S VISIT

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 96, 20 October 1934, Page 22

M.C.C. TEAM'S VISIT

HOBBS WANTED

A correspondent ("Hopeful") writes: —"Players and lovers of the grand old game will be gratified to note that an English team will be visiting tliis country in the 1935-36 season. There is one great batsman the majority of people in this country havo never seen, a man who for tho last 2(J or 27 years has been an idol of the cricketing world—a man who has more centuries attached to his credit than any batsman who has ever lived; a man who despite his 51 years of age is still a great wielder of the bat and can still show the younger generation how to make a century. Like Don Bradman, he used to be good for a century any old time v In. your issue of September 15 in

'The Public Eye' column you gave a short description of his life. That man is Jack Hobbs. His greatest regret in his life has como now. For over 25 years he has been playing for Surrey f and, the authorities of this club, evidently, are not re-engaging him. He ,has scored 197 centuries —a mammoth tally. Ho would dearly have liked to play first-class cricket again to enable him to get thß other thrco centuries (these are his own words).

"My object in writing is to see jf the New Zealand Cricket Council, with the backing of tho people in this country, could be induced to request the M.C.C. to include him'in the English team next year. I feel, assured if Jack were in the team it would1 not be long before these coveted 200 centuries were in that wonderful record of his. It is possible that Herbert Sutcliffc, the dour Yorkshire plodder, will be in the team, and if so, we would see that great pair of opening batsmen, Hobbs and Sutcliffo, walking to the crease. This is the only cricket-playing country in the world that has not scon tho ■ recordbreaking opening batsmen in net-ion. Hobbs and Sutnliffe with the bat, like Hirst and Rhodes with the ball, were known a's 'The Old Firm,' and lovers of the g.imo would travel from all parts of New Zealand to see them play. Perhaps someone will be good enough -. to enlarge on my suggestion, and we might find the New Zealand cricket authorities, if enough pressure is brought to bear, taking action and perhaps, as a result of a little publicity, it. will, be possible for us next year to see in action John Berry Hobbs. MacLaren was 53 when he visited New Zealand, aud wo will never forget that 200 not out of his on the' Basin Reserve." ;