A first-class cricket match is a match of three or more days duration between two teams representing their country. Each player plays an important role on their side of the team as they get selected by the selectors. Test matches are an important part of first-class cricket, as the players do their best to improve their test records. The batsmen of their respective teams try to score excellently on the board for their opponent’s teams. Below is the list of ten first-class cricketers whose mind-blowing records can never be forgotten:
1. Sir Jack Hoobs
Sir Jack Hobbs (born December 16, 1882; died December 21, 1963) was an English cricketer. He played for Surrey from 1905 to 1934. He was known as “The Master” of cricket. He also played 61 test matches for England. He was a right-handed opening batsman and a right-arm medium bowler. He has played 834 first-class matches, scoring 61760 runs at a batting average of 50.70. He had smashed 199 centuries and 273 half-centuries. His top score was 316, not out.
2. Frank Woolley
Frank Woolley (born May 27, 1887; died October 18, 1978) was a well-known cricketer who played for Kent Country Cricket Club and for the England cricket team between 1906 and 1938. He was a left-handed batsman and a slow, left-arm orthodox bowler. He has played as an all-rounder for his team. Woolley played 978 first-class matches, scoring 58959 runs at a batting average of 40.77. He had smashed 145 centuries and 295 half-centuries. His top score was 305, not out.
3. Patsy Hendren
Patsy Hendren (born February 5, 1889; died October 4, 1962) was an excellent cricketer who played for England and Middlesex from 1907 to 1937 while simultaneously playing football. He was a right-handed batsman and a part-time right-arm off-break bowler. He has played 833 first-class matches, scoring 57611 runs at a batting average of 50.80. He had smashed 170 centuries and 272 half-centuries. His top score was 301. Hobbs was Hendren’s close friend and was a witty person with good communication and mimicry skills.
4. Charles Phillip Mead
Charles Phillip Mead (born March 9, 1887; died March 26, 1958) was a smart cricketer who played for England and Hampshire from 1905 to 1936. He was a left-handed batsman and a slow, left-arm orthodox bowler. Even though he had a heavy build, he was quick between the wickets, and his straight position to hold the bat was amazing. He has played 814 first-class matches, scoring 55061 runs at an average of 47.67. He had smashed 153 centuries and 258 half-centuries. His top score was 280, not out.
5. W.G. Grace
W.G. Grace (born July 18, 1848; died October 23, 1915) was a first-class cricketer who played for England from 1865 to 1908. Although he was known as an amateur cricketer, he was famous for his on-ground and money-making skills. He was an extremely competitive and famous cricketer in England. He was a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium bowler. He was an all-rounder. He has played 870 first-class cricket matches, scoring 54211 runs at an average of 39.45. He had smashed 124 centuries and 251 half-centuries. His top score was 344.
6. Herbert Sutcliffe
Herbert Sutcliffe (born November 24, 1894; died January 22, 1978) was an English cricketer who opened the batting for England and Yorkshire. He is known for his opening partnership with Jack Hobbs. His cricket career was cut short due to the Second World War. He was a right-handed opening batsman. He has played 754 first-class matches, scoring 50670 runs at an average of 52.02. He had smashed 151 centuries and 229 half-centuries. His top score was 313.
7. Wally Hammond
Wally Hammond (born June 19, 1903; died July 1, 1965) was an English professional cricketer who represented Gloucestershire and later was appointed captain of the England cricket team. He was a right-handed middle-order batsman and an occasional right-arm fast-medium bowler. He has played 634 first-class cricket matches, scoring 50551 runs at an average of 56.10. He had smashed 167 centuries and 185 half-centuries. His top score was 336, not out.
8. Geoffrey Boycott
Geoffrey Boycott (born October 21, 1940) is a former Test cricketer who played for Yorkshire and England. He was a right-handed batsman and the most successful opening batsman. In his fantastic playing career from 1962 to 1986, he played 609 first-class matches, scoring 48462 runs at an average of 56.83. He was known for his ability to hold the crease and became a staple of England's Test batting line-up for many years. He had smashed 151 centuries and 238 half-centuries. His top score was 261, not out.
9. Thomas Graveney
Tom Graveney (born June 16, 1927; died November 3, 2015) was an English cricketer who played for England in all forms of cricket. He was a right-handed batsman and a part-time right-arm leg-break bowler. His career lasted from 1948 to 1972. He has played 732 first-class matches, scoring 47793 runs at an average of 44.91. He had smashed 122 centuries and 233 half-centuries. His top score was 258.
10. Graham Alan Gooch
Graham Alan Gooch (born July 23, 1953) is a former cricketer who played for Essex and England from 1973 to 1997. He is a right-handed batsman who used to open the inning for his team. He is known as one of the most successful batters of his generation. He has played 581 first-class matches, scoring 44846 runs at an average of 49.01. He has smashed 128 centuries and 217 half-centuries. His top score was 333.
