Walter Reginald Hammond, who was born at Dover on this day in 1903. He carried the legacy of Jack Hobbs, or we can safely batsmanship developed over a period of time from WG Grace to Jack Hobbs to Wally Hammond to Donald Bradman. Hammond started his cricket when he was just eight years old at Malta. The Malta stay often credited for his powerful strokeplay, where he used to play with soldier’s used bat.

The breakthrough in his career was when he was picked to represent Gloucestershire County; the joy was short-lived as Lord Harris banned him on account of being born in Kent. The ban was controversial as Hammond completed the mandatory two-year stay in Gloucestershire. In 1927 he became the only second player after WG Grace to score 1000 runs in May, the traditional first season of county cricket.

 “During his era, Wally Hammond was undoubtedly England’s greatest cricketer. I am very distressed to hear of the need for the Hammond Memorial Appeal Fund and feel sure cricket lovers will generously respond.” Bradman on Hammond.

If not Bradman he would have walked as greatest batsman of his era.

On the eve of Christmas 1927, Wally made his test debut against Proteas scoring half-century before being dismissed by Vincent. He missed the opportunity to score a century in the Durban test once again dismissed by Vincent. The rivalry between Vincent and Wally continued as over the career Vincent dismissed Hammond 10 times jointly most number of times. He ended the debut series next only to Sutcliffe and Tyldesley.

The 1928 Ashes series was pivotal as he amassed the then world record 905 runs. The first batsman to score 900 plus runs in a series, only to be broken by Bradman in next Ashes. The purple patch continued in 1930 South Africa tour, 1932 New Zealand tour.

1933, Hammond scored the majestic unbeaten 336 in just 318 minutes, a world record then. The record was a joyful experience for Wally as he broke Don’s record.

His debut till next ten years he ruled the game, scoring world record 5592 runs in 65 tests with seventeen hundreds. The Don record in the same period overshadowed his batting prowess.

The elegant 240 at Lord’s remains his highest score at home turf.His career took a dip post war. In words of Mark Baldwin Hammond batting was more stylish in comparison to Bradman’s remorseless accumulation.

No batsman in test history has better average than Wally Hammond with at least his tally of runs.

Nevertheless one thing for sure ,the most unfortunate thing for Hammond was that his career ran in parallel to greatest ever batsman to play this game.

His batting average of 56.1 is best among all batsmen who scored at least 50000 first-class runs.

Simon Briggs described Hammond as ‘Hugh Hefner of interwar cricket’. He was married to Dorothy, the daughter of a wealthy textile merchant. His affair with mistresses continued post marriage also. Post-retirement he tied the knot with Sybil Ness-Harve

Wisden’s Obituary: “a most exciting cricketer. … The instant he walked out of a pavilion, white-spotted blue handkerchief showing from his right pocket, bat tucked underarm, cap at a hint of an angle, he was identifiable as a thoroughbred.”