Patsy Hendren

Elias Henry Hendren better known as Patsy Hendren (born 5 February 1889 in Turnham Green, Middlesex, - 4 October 1962 in Tooting Bec, London) was an English cricketer. Patsy was one of the most prolific English batsmen of the period between the wars, averaging 47.63 in his 51 Test matches. He has the third highest first class run aggregate of 57,611 runs (after Sir Jack Hobbs and Frank Woolley), and his total of 170 centuries ranks second only to Hobbs, who played with him many times and called him "a great cricketer and great companion"; Hendren was a noted wit, a keen practical joker and had a talent for mimicry.

Early years

Hendren joined the Lord's groundstaff at the age of 16, and made his first-class debut for Middlesex County Cricket Club in 1907, though the game was abandoned after the first day when spectators caused damage to the pitch and he did not get to bat. He played nine games the following year and gradually established himself in the team, but it was 1911 before he made his first hundred, and until World War I forced the suspension of the County Championship he never managed to average 40 in a season.

Football

Hendren was also a good footballer in the early part of his career, playing at wing forward for Brentford, QPR, Manchester City and Coventry City.

Career

Returning to cricket in 1919 Hendren scored 1,655 runs and averaged over 60, as he was to do the following year as well. He was a strong player of fast bowling. He was made a Wisden......
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