Greatest Cricket Moments

Jack Hobbs's First Post-War Season — Surrey 1919

1919-09-01SurreyHobbs's 1919 first-class season2 min readSeverity: Mild

Summary

Jack Hobbs returned to first-class cricket in May 1919, aged 36 after a four-year war-imposed break, and immediately scored 2,594 runs at 60.32 in the experimental two-day season — confirming that the world's leading batsman had picked up exactly where he had left off in 1914.

Background

Hobbs had been at his peak in 1914 with 11 centuries. The four-year break had taken him from 31 to 35.

Build-Up

He returned to Surrey for pre-season practice in April 1919. By the first match in May he was already in form.

What Happened

Hobbs had spent the war working at the Royal Flying Corps depot at Hampstead, playing only occasional charity matches. He had not played first-class cricket since August 1914. When the County Championship resumed in May 1919 he was 36 and many wondered whether he could still play to his pre-war level. The answer came quickly. He scored 2,594 first-class runs at 60.32, with eight centuries — including a 205 against Yorkshire at Lord's in the Triangular Roses match. Surrey, captained by C.T.A. Wilkinson, finished second in the championship behind Yorkshire. Hobbs's batting was slightly slower than before — he was thirty-six, not twenty-eight — but the technique was unchanged. The 1919 season was the launchpad for the 1920s, in which Hobbs scored 132 of his 197 first-class centuries and confirmed his rank as the greatest batsman of his generation.

Key Moments

1

May 1919: First match back, scores 50 in opening innings

2

Mid-summer: Scores 205 v Yorkshire

3

Aug 1919: Eight centuries in the season

4

Sep 1919: Final tally 2,594 runs at 60.32

Timeline

May 1919

First post-war match for Surrey

Jul 1919

205 v Yorkshire

Sep 1919

Season ends with 2,594 runs at 60.32

Notable Quotes

“If anything, Jack came back better than he went away.”

— Andy Sandham, Surrey opener

Aftermath

Hobbs was selected for the 1920-21 tour of Australia. His Test career ran for another decade and a half.

⚖️ The Verdict

A 36-year-old returning batsman scoring 2,594 runs in his first post-war season — Hobbs's career picked up exactly where the war had interrupted it.

Legacy & Impact

The 1919 season is the bridge between Hobbs the pre-war prodigy and Hobbs the dominant 1920s figure. The continuity over a four-year break is unique among great batsmen of the era.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old was Hobbs in 1919?▾
Thirty-six. He was born on 16 December 1882.
What was the experimental format that year?▾
Two-day matches with extended hours of play, used only for the 1919 season.

Tags

#jack-hobbs#surrey#1919#post-war#two-day-cricket#england#hayward

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