Sir John Berry Hobbs was an English professional cricketer who played for Surrey from 1905 to 1934 and for England in 61 Test matches between 1908 and 1930. Known as "The Master", he is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket. He is the leading run-scorer and century-maker in first-class cricket, with 61,760 runs and 199 centuries. A right-handed batsman and an occasional right-arm medium pace bowler, Hobbs also excelled as a fielder, particularly in the position of cover point. Hobbs was named as one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Century alongside Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Garfield Sobers, Shane Warne, and Sir Viv Richards.
Hobbs in about 1920
Hobbs regularly practised cricket on Parker's Piece in his youth.
Hobbs in his early career
Hobbs (right) opening the batting with Tom Hayward during the County Championship match between Surrey and Warwickshire at the Oval on 2 May 1910
Surrey County Cricket Club
Surrey County Cricket Club is a first-class club in county cricket, one of eighteen in the domestic cricket structure of England and Wales. It represents the historic county of Surrey, including areas that now form South London. Teams representing the county are recorded from 1709 onwards; the current club was founded in 1845 and has held first-class status continuously since then. Surrey have played in every top-level domestic cricket competition in England, including every edition of the County Championship.
Surrey County Cricket Club
Surrey's home ground The Oval, overlooked by the famous gasholders.
Surrey's all-time top scorer Jack Hobbs.
Jade Dernbach runs up to bowl against Sussex at the County Ground in Hove in the 2008 Twenty20 Cup.