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New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12196, 22 July 1925, Page 3

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HOBBS'S CENTURY RECORD GREAT BATSMAN ACCLAIMED. Australian and N.Z; Cable Association. IDNDON, July 20. A big shout went up when J. B. Hobbs completed his 125th century during the Kent v, Surrey match, at Blackheath. The game was stopped for two minutes while the, public went on cheering. Hobbs is now one short of the late J W. G.' Grace's record, and needs two more to beat the record of 18 centuries for the season held by C. B. Fry, T.< Hayward, and Heudren. W. G. Grace played 126 three-figure in-nings-f-125 in England and one in Australia. His highest innings was 344 in 1876, when playing for M.C.C. against Kent. also eoored 318 not out the [. same year against Yorkshire, at Cheltenham. Twenty years later he reached 301 «. against Sussex at Bristol, and on ten other occasions his score was over 200. During his wonderful career in first-class cricket from 1865 till 1908. Dr. Grace s scored 54,896 runs and took 2876 wickets. i- . C. B.; Fry made 13 three-figure scores in first-class cricket in 1901, his highest score being 244. T. Hayward, in 1906, obtained his 13 three-figure scores, and E. Hendren made his in 1023. ~ (Received July 21, 5.8 p.m.) i Playing against Kent, Hobbs in the 1 first innings made 105. He is the first 2 batsman to reach 2000 runs this season.