5 legendary cricketers who had forgettable Test debuts

#4 – Len Hutton

Hutton was one of the most technically accomplished batsmen to play the game

When English batsmen are ranked according to their stature and statistics, Len Hutton sits in the upper most echelon. With almost 7000 runs from just 79 matches at an average of 56.67, the opener had very few rivals who could match his technique and concentration.

But, Hutton’s first taste of Test cricket was ignominious. Predicted by stalwarts such as Herbert Sutcliffe as a propitious talent, he struggled badly against a weak New Zealand outfit.

He was confounded by the quirky artistry of Jack Cowie who combined off-breaks and out-swingers into a single action. After being castled in the first innings for a duck, the right-hander could only better that with a solitary run in the next essay. To top it all, this happened at Lords.

Hutton rebounded quickly and conquered Cowie in the second Test with a stellar century. No other batsmen brought up three figures in the match which England won by 130 runs.