Denis Compton

Denis Compton, Middlesex cricketer, Arsenal footballer, played in 78 Tests for England. His aggregate of 5,807 runs has been surpassed in Tests only by W. R. Hammond, 7,249; D. G. Bradman, 6,996; and L. Hutton, 6,971.

Highest Aggregate for One Season: 3,816 runs in 1947.

Most Hundreds in One Season: Eighteen in 1947.

Fastest Triple Century: 300 out of 399 in 181 minutes for M.C.C. against N.E. Transvaal, Benoni, 1948-49.

Century on First Test Appearance: Compton scored 65 on his Test debut against New Zealand at The Oval, 1937, but he hit a century on his first Test appearance against Australia, South Africa and West Indies.

Highest English Third Wicket Stand: 424 with W. J. Edrich for Middlesex against Somerset at Lord's, 1948.

Four Hundreds in Succession: during M.C.C. tour in Australia, 1946-47.

Three times he has hit two separate hundreds in a match, including England v. Australia, at Adelaide, 1946-47.

On three occasions he has taken ten or more wickets in a match.

His best bowling figures in a match: eleven for 47 runs for M.C.C. v. Auckland, 1946-47.

Compton took twelve wickets for 174 runs and made 137 not out for Middlesex against Surrey at The Oval, 1947.

Many of Compton's fine innings in his later years were achieved when he was severely troubled by his right knee. He first felt discomfort in 1947, and in 1950 an operation was performed when a small piece of bone was removed from the knee. In November 1955 an even more serious operation took place when the knee cap was removed. A series of minor operations followed to improve flexion of the knee. He returned to first-class cricket in June 1956, and seven weeks later played for England against Australia in the final Test, hitting a brilliant 94 at The Oval.