Len Hutton

Sir Len Hutton was an English opening batsman who became the first professional cricketer to captain England and held the world Test record individual score of 364 for nearly two decades.

Born on 23 June 1916 in Pudsey, Yorkshire, Len Hutton made his Test debut in 1937 against New Zealand, opening with a difficult start of 0 and 1 at Lord's before quickly settling into international cricket. In only his sixth Test, at The Oval in 1938, Hutton produced one of the most famous innings in cricket history. Batting for 847 minutes and facing 797 deliveries, Hutton scored 364 runs — a new world-record Test score, surpassing Don Bradman's 334 — as England amassed a world-record team total of 903 for seven declared. His marathon innings, guided through by teammate Hedley Verity, remained an England Test record for decades and stood as the world record for nearly 20 years until Garfield Sobers's 365 not out in 1958. In 1952, Hutton became the first professional cricketer of the 20th century to captain England, a landmark moment breaking down longstanding class barriers in a sport traditionally led by amateur 'gentlemen'. In 1953, his cautious, disciplined captaincy helped England regain the Ashes for the first time in 19 years, with Hutton himself the outstanding batsman of the series, averaging 55 when no other player on either side averaged 40. Hutton retired in 1955 with 6,971 Test runs at an average of 56.67 from 79 matches, and in 1956 became only the third cricketer, after Jack Hobbs and Don Bradman, to be knighted for his services to the game. He died on 6 September 1990.

Technically immaculate opening batsman capable of both attack and disciplined defence

One of England's greatest-ever batsmen and a pioneering figure who broke cricket's class barriers

• Knighted for services to cricket 1956
• Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1938
• held Test record individual score (364) from 1938 to 1958
• led England to 1953 Ashes victory