Top 3 all-time run-scorers in First Class cricket

First Class Cricket is the stepping stone to International Test action. Players spent years perfecting their skills in first class Cricket and as a result, many are rewarded with Test call-ups to their national Test sides. Over the years, the first-class stage has been graced by many batters who have scored heaps of runs in the process. Here are the top three all-time highest run-scorers in First Class Cricket.

3. Patsy Hendren

Between 1907 and 1937, English batsman Patsy Hendren participated in 833 first-class games, scoring 57611 runs at a 50.80’s average with 170 hundred and 272 fifties, including his highest score of 301 not out. Hendren scored 3525 runs at 47.63 with 7 tonnes and 21 fifty-pluses in 51 Tests, including his highest total of 205 not out. 

During England’s 1930 tour of the West Indies, he scored his highest Test total of 205 not out against the at Queen’s Park Oval. Hendren and Les Ames saved the innings when England was in trouble at 52/3 in their second innings after handing the West Indies a 46-run advantage in the first innings. Together, they helped England set the host a target of 380 before bowling them out for 212 to win by 167 runs.

2. Frank Woolley 

Frank Woolley, an English all-rounder who played for Kent in 978 first-class matches between 1906 and 1938, amassed 58959 runs at an average of 40.77, with 145 tonnes and 285 fifties. The left-handed batsman amassed 3283 runs at 36.07 in 64 Tests, including his highest score of 154. He also had five tonnes and 23 fifty-scores. 

In July 1929, during South Africa’s tour of England, Woolley scored his highest Test total of 154 against South Africa at Manchester. In their opening innings, England scored 427/7 points, mostly because of Woolley’s performance. South Africa responded by being knocked out for 130. After that, the Proteas only managed 265 in their second innings, giving England a victory margin of an innings and 32 runs.

1. Sir Jack Hobbs

Between 1905 and 1934, English opening batsman Jack Hobbs appeared in 834 first-class games and amassed 61760 runs at an average of 50.70 with 199 hundreds and 273 fifties. In addition to his top score of 211, he amassed 5410 runs from 61 Test matches at 56.94 with 15 tonnes and 28 fifties. Hobbs struck 155 against Essex in his maiden county match, cementing his position as a regular on the county cricket scene. 

When he beat WG Grace’s previous record of 126 tonnes, he had his best first-class season ever. He ran 3024 times at 70.32 with 16 tonnes during that season. When playing Middlesex in 1926, Hobbs amassed his greatest first-class score of 316 not out in less than seven hours while hitting 41 fours. The most astounding thing about Hobbs was that he frequently gave up his wicket so that others may have a chance to bat, which means that he could have easily scored thousands more runs if he had chosen to.