20 batsmen whose Test average never dipped below 40: Part 1

(16) Conrad Hunte (West Indies): 1958-1967

Conrad Hunte scored 622 runs in his debut test series.

Matches: 44, Runs: 3245, Average: 45.07, Highest: 260, 100/50: 8/13.

Lowest Career Average: 41 (29th Test)

One of West Indies' greatest ever opening batsmen, Conrad Hunte made his test debut against Pakistan in his hometown of Barbados in 1958. Hunte had struggled to break through into the team, but once he did, there was no looking back.

Hunte scored a century in his debut innings and ended with scores of 142 and 11* in the match. The match is mostly remembered for Hanif Mohammed's magical 337. Hunte was overshadowed despite a great performance, it was a recurring theme in his career but Hunte was never deflated.

Hunte scored a fantastic 260 in his third test but was again overshadowed by Gary Sobers, who scored a monumental 365. Hunte finished the series with 622 runs at an average of 77, only George Headley and Sunil Gavaskar have scored more runs in their debut series.

There was a lull in Hunte's form after his debut series, but he bounced back in style in the famous 1960/61 series against Australia. Hunte scored 377 runs in the series but could not avoid a narrow defeat for West Indies. His role in the tied Brisbane test is a part of folklore.

Hunte was capable of aggressive stroke play but modeled his game for the need of the team. Hunte's lowest career average of 41 came after his 26th test, at the same time, he was overlooked for captaincy, but nothing seemed to impact him.

Hunte scored 473 runs in the next series against England in their backyard, which included 2 hundreds as well. He scored more than 1000 runs on the tour and was named as the Wisden Cricketer of the year in 1964.

Hunte retired after the tour to India in 1967, despite being in great form. It was on this tour that the flag incident took place, which established Hunte as a hero for thousands of Indian cricket fans. Hunte would work for several humanitarian causes in his life and remains as one of the greatest ambassadors this sport has ever seen.