Editing Len Hutton (section)

==Career after the war==
[[File:Len Hutton 1946-07-12.jpg|thumb|left|Hutton on 12 July 1946]]

===First tour to Australia===
County cricket fully resumed in 1946. Hutton was troubled by his injury; his wrists no longer rotated fully and he abandoned the [[hook shot]].<ref name=Wis46/><ref name=H46>Howat, p. 46.</ref> Nevertheless, he scored 1,552 runs at an average of 48.50,<ref name=fcbatting/> and was recognised by ''Wisden'' as Yorkshire's most effective batsman as the county won their fourth consecutive championship title.<ref name=Wis46>{{Cite book| title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1947| publisher = John Wisden & Co| chapter = Yorkshire in 1946| page = 486}}</ref> His four centuries included 183 not out against the touring Indian team,<ref name=H66>Howat, p. 66.</ref> but he was less successful in the three Tests, scoring 123 runs at an average of 30.75.<ref name=tbat/> England won the series 1–0 but Hutton's only fifty was a defensive innings in the second Test, when he was troubled by a bad back.<ref name=inns/><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152869.html| title = England v India 1946| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1947| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =22 May 2010}}</ref> He was omitted from the Gentlemen and Players match, but was part of the [[MCC tour of Australia in 1946–47|MCC team touring party]] for the 1946–47 tour of Australia.<ref name="Howat, p. 67">Howat, p. 67.</ref>

The MCC were reluctant to tour so soon after the war, but the Australian authorities were insistent. The tourists, led once more by Wally Hammond, were beaten 3–0 in the Test series, finding their opponents much stronger than expected.<ref name=MCC46>{{cite web| url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152882.html| title = M.C.C. team in Australia and New Zealand, 1946–47| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1948| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =22 May 2010}}</ref> Hutton began the tour well,<ref name=H68>Howat, p. 68.</ref> scoring two early centuries, the latter of which was described by ''Wisden'' as the best English innings of the tour.<ref name=figures/><ref name=MCC46/> A string of other good performances drew praise from press and former players; one such report named him the best batsman in the world.<ref name=H68/> However, Hutton failed to reach a score of 50 runs in the first three Tests; in the first, he was out for a first ball [[Duck (cricket)|duck]],<ref name=inns/> and in the second, a short ball from Keith Miller struck him on his injured arm. In the second innings of the latter game, he quickly scored 37, frequently [[Drive (cricket)|driving]] the bowling of Miller and [[Fred Freer]] before the bat slipped from his hand and hit the wicket, ending the innings. Even so, the display was praised by critics.<ref>Howat, pp. 69–70.</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152884.html| title = England v Australia 1946–47 (Second Test)| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1948| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =23 May 2010}}</ref>

In the final two Tests, Hutton shared three consecutive century opening partnerships with [[Cyril Washbrook]].<ref name=MCC46/> A four-hour 94 in the first innings was followed by 76 in the second.<ref name=inns/> Press opinion was divided over Hutton's performance; some critics, including the Australian bowlers, detected insecurity against fast bowling, particularly the bouncers with which [[Ray Lindwall]] and Miller targeted him.<ref name=H71>Howat, p. 71.</ref> Hutton's preferred tactic of ducking under the ball reinforced the impression that he was afraid.<ref name=H71/><ref name=Jenkins>{{cite web| last = Jenkins | first = V. G. J. | url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152909.html| title = Tribute to Hutton | work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1950| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =11 June 2010}}</ref> In the final Test, Hutton scored a century, batting through the first day to score 122 not out, his first Test century in Australia, despite another barrage from Lindwall and Miller. ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'' criticised the high number of short balls bowled by the Australian pacemen, bowled at Hutton as often as three times per [[Over (cricket)|over]].<ref name=H72>Howat, p. 72.</ref> After the second day was rained off, Hutton was taken ill overnight with [[tonsillitis]], missed the remainder of the match and flew home soon after.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152887.html| title = England v Australia 1946–47 (Fifth Test)| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1948| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =25 May 2010}}</ref> In all first-class matches on tour, Hutton scored 1,267 runs at an average of 70.38,<ref name=fcbatting/> while in the Tests, he managed 417 runs at an average of 52.12;<ref name=tbat/> he topped both sets of averages.<ref name=H72/> ''Wisden'' noted that it took him time to find form in the Tests, but that he often batted well despite ill health.<ref name=MCC46/> Bill Bowes, covering the tour as a journalist, believed that Hutton was unable to master bowling faster than he had encountered for eight years, but acquitted himself reasonably well.<ref>Bowes, p. 187.</ref>

===Series against South Africa and West Indies===
[[File:Hutton 1947.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Hutton in 1947]]
Hutton's [[Tonsillectomy|tonsils were removed]] before the start of the 1947 season but his poor health continued, forcing him to miss some games at the start of the season. Nevertheless, his form remained good and he scored four centuries in early matches.<ref>Howat, pp. 72–73</ref> Yorkshire dropped to equal seventh in the County Championship, affected by the retirement of key players and the frequent loss of Hutton to representative cricket.<ref name=ccposn/><ref>Howat, pp. 73–74.</ref> In the Test matches Hutton did not initially score heavily. His highest innings after three Tests was only 24 runs,<ref name=inns/> and critics called his place into question.<ref name=h73>Howat, p. 73.</ref> He returned to form during the fourth Test, his first at Headingley, with a four-and-a-half-hour century on a difficult pitch for batting.<ref name=inns/><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152880.html| title = England v South Africa 1947 (Fourth Test)| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1948| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =31 May 2010}}</ref> Hutton scored 83 and 36 in the drawn final Test,<ref name=inns/> and England won the series 3–0 with the other two games drawn. Hutton hit 344 runs in the Test series at an average of 44.00;<ref name=tbat/> in all first-class matches, he scored eleven centuries and totalled 2,585 runs at an average 64.62,<ref name=fcbatting/> although his achievements that season were overshadowed by those of [[Denis Compton]] and Bill Edrich, who both broke the previous record for most runs scored in a season.<ref name=obit/>

After 16 months of continuous cricket, Hutton chose to miss the [[English cricket team in West Indies in 1947-48|1947–48 winter MCC tour of the West Indies]]. However, injuries severely affected that team, and its captain [[Gubby Allen]] requested reinforcements. Subsequently, Hutton flew out to join the tour;<ref>Howat, pp. 74–75.</ref><ref name="mcc47/48">{{cite web| url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152899.html| title = M.C.C. in West Indies, 1947–48| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1949| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =31 May 2010}}</ref> Immediately after he arrived, having travelled for four days, Hutton played against [[Guyana national cricket team|British Guiana]], scoring 138 and 62 not out,<ref name=figures/><ref name=h75>Howat, p. 75.</ref> before appearing in the third Test.<ref name=inns/> After a century against Jamaica,<ref name=figures/> Hutton played innings of 56 and 60 in the fourth and final Test, giving him 171 runs at an average of 42.75 in the series.<ref name=inns/><ref name=tbat/> He came top of the first-class averages for the tourists, with 578 runs at an average of 64.22, and was judged by ''Wisden'' as one of the few batting successes in a team which lost the four-Test series 2–0 and failed to win a single match on tour.<ref name=fcbatting/><ref name="mcc47/48"/>

===Struggles against pace===
During 1948, Hutton scored heavily for Yorkshire. Despite missing more than half the County Championship matches, he scored more runs at a better average than anyone else in the side.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://cricketarchive.com/Yorkshire/Seasons/Seasonal_Averages/1948_f_Batting_by_Average.html| title = First-class Batting and Fielding for Yorkshire in 1948| publisher = CricketArchive| access-date =8 June 2010}}</ref> In county matches, Hutton averaged 92.05 and scored eight centuries. Some Yorkshire critics expressed concern at the team's dependence on Hutton and the poor performance of other batsmen.<ref>Howat, p. 76.</ref> Hutton's main challenge that season came from the [[Australian cricket team in England in 1948|Australian side]] which toured England undefeated and won the Test series 4–0. In the early part of the tour, the Australians, and particularly the pace bowlers Lindwall and Miller, tried to shake Hutton's confidence by targeting him.<ref name=H77>Howat, p. 77.</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Perry|first=Roland|author-link=Roland Perry|title=Miller's Luck: the life and loves of Keith Miller, Australia's greatest all-rounder|year=2005|publisher=Random House|isbn=978-1-74166-222-1|location=Milsons Point, New South Wales|page=229}}</ref> Although Hutton failed on a difficult pitch in Yorkshire's match against the tourists, he was the only successful batsman against them when he appeared for MCC shortly after.<ref>Fingleton, p. 55.</ref><ref>Fingleton, p. 73.</ref>

Hutton was selected for the first Test, but England were overwhelmed by the Australian fast bowlers and lost the match.<ref name=1st48>{{cite web| url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152894.html| title = England v Australia 1948 (First Test)| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1949| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =10 June 2010}}</ref> After a failure in the first innings,<ref name=inns/> Hutton scored 74 in the second,<ref name=inns/> and briefly established dominance over Miller,<ref>Fingleton, pp. 82–83, 95–97.</ref> who responded with a series of bouncers, one of which struck Hutton on the shoulder and provoked an angry reaction from the crowd. Miller [[Dismissal (cricket)#Law 30: Bowled|bowled]] him in very poor light at the start of the fourth day's play.<ref name=1st48/> At Lord's in the second Test, also lost by England, Hutton scored 20 and 13,<ref name=inns/> but of more concern to critics was the manner in which he batted. In the second innings, England had to bat for a long time to save the game, ''Wisden'' noted that Hutton, in contrast to his opening partner Washbrook, looked "plainly uncomfortable".<ref name=2nd48>{{cite web| url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152895.html| title = England v Australia 1948 (Second Test)| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1949| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =10 June 2010}}</ref> He was nearly dismissed several times before he was out for 13, and returned to the pavilion to an uncomfortable silence from the crowd.<ref name=F117/><ref name=O74/> The former Australian batsman [[Jack Fingleton]], covering the tour as a journalist, described it as Hutton's worst effort in a Test.<ref name=F117>Fingleton, p. 117.</ref> [[Bill O'Reilly (cricketer)|Bill O'Reilly]], another former Australian player working as a journalist, said Hutton seemed to be struggling with concentration and was a shadow of his former self.<ref name=O74>{{cite book |last=O'Reilly |first=W. J. |year=1949 |title=Cricket conquest: the story of the 1948 test tour |publisher=Werner Laurie |location=London | page = 74}}</ref>

Following his struggles at Lord's, Hutton was omitted from the team for the third Test. Observers had noticed Hutton backing away from the fast bowlers, which the English selectors saw as a poor example from a leading batsman.<ref name=G189>Gibson, p. 189.</ref><ref name=Bowes190>Bowes, p. 190.</ref> The decision generated considerable acrimony, but surprised and pleased the Australians, who felt Hutton was their most formidable opponent with the bat.<ref name=F120>Fingleton, p. 120.</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=Roland |last=Perry| author-link=Roland Perry| title=Bradman's best: Sir Donald Bradman's selection of the best team in cricket history|year=2001 |publisher= [[Random House|Random House Australia]] |isbn=0-09-184051-1|location=Milsons Point, New South Wales|page=224}}</ref> Press and critics generally judged the omission a mistake,<ref name=H77/> although the ''Wisden'' correspondent believed the decision to be correct as Hutton benefited from a break.<ref name=48report>{{cite web| url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/155254.html| title = Australians in England, 1948| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1949| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =11 June 2010}}</ref> In later years, [[Norman Yardley]], the England captain, agreed that the choice was a poor one.<ref name=M143/> Hutton, who escaped most of the debate by playing in Scotland for Yorkshire,<ref name=H77-78>Howat, pp. 77–78.</ref> found the situation unsettling and Patrick Murphy, a sports journalist, writes that it "served to drive a reserved man further in on himself."<ref name=M143/> Meanwhile, Hutton was chosen to captain the Players against the Gentlemen at Lord's; he scored 59 and 132 not out.<ref name=figures/><ref name=H77-78/>

Recalled to the England team for the fourth Test at Headingley, Hutton scored 81 and 57.<ref name=inns/> Given an excellent reception by his home crowd, he shared a century opening partnership with Washbrook in both innings, the second time they had accomplished this feat.<ref>Fingleton, pp. 140–41.</ref><ref name=4th48>{{cite web| url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152897.html| title = England v Australia 1948 (Fourth Test)| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1949| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =11 June 2010}}</ref> Critics considered Hutton to be a better batsmen when he returned and that these innings repaired his damaged reputation.<ref name=G189/><ref>Howat, p. 78.</ref> Australia needed 404 to win on a pitch favouring spin, but the poor performances of the main bowlers allowed Australia to record a seven wicket win described by ''Wisden'' as "astonishing".<ref name=4th48/> Hutton's contribution to the second Australian innings was to bowl four overs and concede 30 runs.<ref name=figures/> Australia's dominance in the series was sealed by a crushing win in the fifth Test. England were bowled out for 52 runs in the first innings, of which Hutton scored 30 before being last out to an exceptional catch down the leg side from wicketkeeper [[Don Tallon]].<ref name=figures/><ref name=F172/> ''Wisden'' described Hutton as "the one exception to complete failure",<ref name=5th48>{{cite web| url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152898.html| title = England v Australia 1948 (Fifth Test)| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1949| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =11 June 2010}}</ref> while other critics noted he always looked comfortable.<ref name=F172>Fingleton, p. 172.</ref><ref name="Bowes, p. 192">Bowes, p. 192.</ref> Facing a huge deficit in their second innings, England were bowled out for 188. Hutton scored 64, playing a similar defensive role to his first innings.<ref name=figures/><ref name=H79>Howat, p. 79.</ref> In the Test series, Hutton scored 342 runs at an average of 42.75.<ref name=tbat/> In all first-class matches, he reached 2,654 runs at an average of 64.73.<ref name=fcbatting/>

===Leading batsman again===
Hutton toured South Africa in the winter of 1948–49 with the MCC under the captaincy of [[George Mann (cricketer)|George Mann]]. ''Wisden'' described Hutton's tour as a succession of triumphs until he tired at the end: "Hutton's driving aroused the greatest admiration, but all his strokes were stamped with the hallmark of class."<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/155257.html| title = M.C.C. Team in South Africa, 1948–49| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1950| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =12 June 2010}}</ref> Before the Test matches began, Hutton scored three centuries and then contributed 83 as England won the first Test.<ref name=inns/><ref>Howat, p. 80.</ref> The next three Tests were drawn. In the second match, Hutton and Washbrook set a new Test match record opening partnership. In easy batting conditions, they shared 359 runs on the first day before Hutton was out for 158 after almost five hours batting.<ref name=inns/><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152919.html| title = England v South Africa 1948–49 (Second Test)| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1950| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =12 June 2010}}</ref> In more favourable bowling conditions in the third Test, Hutton scored 41 and 87,<ref name=inns/><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152920.html| title = England v South Africa 1948–49 (Third Test)| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1950| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =12 June 2010}}</ref> followed by 123 in the fourth game which settled England's second innings at a dangerous time.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152921.html| title = England v South Africa 1948–49 (Fourth Test)| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1950| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =12 June 2010}}</ref> England won the final game to take the series 2–0,<ref name=inns/> and Hutton finished the Test series with 577 runs at an average of 64.11,<ref name=tbat/> while in all first-class matches he recorded 1,477 runs at an average of 73.85.<ref name=fcbatting/>

The most successful season of Hutton's career in terms of runs scored was 1949; he scored 3,429 runs at an average of 68.58,<ref name=fcbatting/> the fourth highest aggregate of runs in an English season. In both June and August he scored over 1,000 runs; his 1,294 runs in June was a record for a single month and only Herbert Sutcliffe had previously passed 1,000 runs for a calendar month twice in a season.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152912.html| title = Notes by the Editor| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1950| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =12 June 2010}}</ref> He scored a double century against Lancashire, only the second for a Yorkshire batsman in the fixture. With Hutton available for more matches than in the previous few seasons, Yorkshire shared the County Championship with Middlesex, their last success until 1959.<ref name=ccposn/><ref>Howat, p. 82.</ref> In the four Test matches against the touring New Zealanders, all of which were drawn, Hutton scored 469 runs at an average of 78.16.<ref name=tbat/> He scored 101 in the first Test, and fifties in the second and third matches,<ref name=inns/> before ending the series with an innings of 206 in the fourth Test, in which the second hundred runs took only 85 minutes.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152917.html| title = England v New Zealand 1949 (Fourth Test)| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1950| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =12 June 2010}}</ref>

Hutton scored 2,049 runs at an average of 56.91 in the 1950 season.<ref name=fcbatting/> Batting effectively on a succession of early season [[Sticky wicket|rain-affected wickets]], Hutton frequently top-scored for Yorkshire.<ref>Howat, p. 89.</ref> Hutton's [[Benefit (sports)|benefit match]] against Middlesex was affected by rain, but other events, collections and insurance for loss of play gave Hutton £9,713, a record at that point for a Yorkshire cricketer. Two-thirds of the amount was invested on Hutton's behalf by the Yorkshire committee, following their usual practice; Hutton resented this paternalism from the committee, particularly as he did not receive the full amount until 1972.<ref>Howat, pp. 86–87.</ref> Hutton played in three of the four Tests against West Indies. In the first Test, hampered by a finger injury, he scored 39 and 45 as England recorded their only victory of the series.<ref name=inns/><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152933.html| title = England v West Indies 1950 (First Test)| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1951| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =15 June 2010}}</ref> The West Indies won the second Test, their first Test victory in England,<ref name=inns/><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152934.html| title = England v West Indies 1950 (Second Test)| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1951| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =15 June 2010}}</ref> and won the final two Tests to take the series 3–1; Hutton missed the third Test with [[Low back pain|lumbago]] but in the fourth Test scored 202 not out, [[Carry the bat|carrying his bat]] through England's first innings.<ref name=H90>Howat, p. 90.</ref> The West Indian spinners [[Sonny Ramadhin]] and [[Alf Valentine]] caused difficulties for all the batsmen except Hutton, who always appeared comfortable. ''Wisden'' praised his effort as unforgettable.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152936.html| title = England v West Indies 1950 (Fourth Test)| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1951| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =15 June 2010}}</ref>

===Australia 1950–51===
[[File:Freddie Brown cricketer c1935.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Freddie Brown (cricketer)|Freddie Brown]], who led the MCC team in Australia in 1950–51, was Hutton's predecessor as England captain.|alt=Close up of young, dark-haired man.]]
Hutton was chosen to go on the [[MCC tour of Australia in 1950-51|MCC tour of Australia in 1950–51]], under the captaincy of the [[Amateur status in first-class cricket|amateur]] [[Freddie Brown (cricketer)|Freddie Brown]]. The latter was an unexpected choice as captain,<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152944.html| title = F. R. Brown: leader of men| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1952| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =18 June 2010}}</ref> after a struggle to find a suitable amateur for the role.{{refn|At the time, England captains were always amateur cricketers.<ref name=G179-81/>|group=notes}} As a compromise aimed at critics who favoured the appointment of a professional captain, the professional Denis Compton was made vice-captain,<ref name=G179-81>Gibson, pp. 179–81.</ref><ref>Howat, pp. 91–92.</ref> but Brown came to rely more on Hutton than on Compton for advice.<ref>Gibson, p. 182.</ref> The tour selectors, in an attempt to strengthen the batting line-up, asked Hutton to bat in the [[middle order]] rather than his usual position as opener. He batted well in the early games but the team struggled.<ref>Howat, pp. 92–93.</ref><ref name=50tour>{{cite web| url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152955.html| title = M.C.C. team in Australia and New Zealand, 1950–51| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1952| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =18 June 2010}}</ref> In the first Test, England dismissed Australia for 228 before rain made the pitch difficult for batting.<ref>Howat, p. 93.</ref> In reply, England collapsed to 68 for seven before Brown [[Declaration and forfeiture#Declaration|declared]] to make Australia bat again while the pitch was still treacherous. Australia in turn struggled to 32 for seven, before declaring to leave England needing 193 to win. By the end of the third day's play, victory seemed unlikely as England were 30 for six.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/19/19560.html | title = Australia v England in 1950/51| publisher = CricketArchive | access-date =19 June 2010}}</ref><ref name=50T1>{{cite web|url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152956.html| title = England v Australia 1950–51 (First Test)| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1952| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =19 June 2010}}</ref> Next morning on a slightly easier pitch, Hutton scored 62 not out, an innings which was widely acclaimed in the press.<ref name=H94>Howat, p. 94.</ref> ''Wisden'' observed that he had "given yet another exhibition of his wonderful batsmanship on tricky turf ... Hutton thrashed the fast bowlers majestically and played the turning or lifting ball with the ease of a master craftsman."<ref name=50T1/> However, the team were bowled out for 122 and Australia won by 70 runs.<ref name=50T1/>

Hutton remained in the middle order for the second Test, which England lost by 28 runs,<ref name=H95>Howat, p. 95.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152957.html| title = England v Australia 1950–51 (Second Test)| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1952| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =21 June 2010}}</ref> but resumed his role as opener for the rest of the tour and scored a century in the following state game.<ref name=H95/> Hutton scored 62 in the third Test, but the Australian spinner [[Jack Iverson]], who caused the touring batsmen huge problems all series, bowled Australia to victory.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152958.html| title = England v Australia 1950–51 (Third Test)| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1952| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =21 June 2010}}</ref> Hutton's form continued in the fourth Test as he carried his bat for the second time in six months. ''Wisden'' observed: "Against Hutton the bowling looked almost mediocre, but most of the other batsmen made it appear lethal."<ref name=4T51>{{cite web|url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152959.html| title = England v Australia 1950–51 (Fourth Test)| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1952| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =21 June 2010}}</ref> He scored 156 not out and added 45 more runs in the second innings, but Australia won by 274 runs.<ref name=inns/><ref name=4T51/> With the series lost, England won the final game, their first victory over Australia since the war and Australia's first defeat in 26 matches; Hutton contributed scores of 79 and 60 not out and struck the winning run.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152960.html| title = England v Australia 1950–51 (Fifth Test)| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1952| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =21 June 2010}}</ref> Hutton scored 553 Test runs at an average of 88.83, and in all first-class matches accumulated 1,199 runs with five centuries and an average of 70.52.<ref name=fcbatting/><ref name=tbat/> In contrast to his previous Australian tour, Hutton played the short ball comfortably. Reviewing the tour, ''Wisden'' stated, "With Hutton, figures did not lie. He stood head and shoulders above every other batsman and, taking all factors into consideration, worthily earned the description of the finest present-day batsman in the world."<ref name=50tour/>

===100th century===
Hutton scored 2,145 runs in 1951 with nine centuries, including his 100th in first-class cricket.<ref name=fcbatting/> The South Africans toured England, losing the Test series 3–1. After Hutton scored fifty in the first Test, which was won by South Africa,<ref name=inns/> his 100th century almost came during the third Test, when he scored an unbeaten 98 in the second innings to take England to victory. But the innings provoked controversy when Hutton's teammates seemed to decline easy runs to allow Hutton the opportunity to reach his hundred before the end of the match, thereby jeopardising England's chances of victory in unsettled weather.<ref name=inns/><ref name=H100>Howat, p. 100.</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/152952.html| title = England v South Africa 1951 (Third Test)| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack| year = 1952| publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | access-date =18 July 2010}}</ref> The 100th century came a week later, against Surrey, when Hutton became the thirteenth player to achieve the landmark. He followed this immediately with 194 not out against [[Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club|Nottinghamshire]] and 100, in the drawn fourth Test at Headlingley.<ref name=inns/><ref name=H101>Howat, p. 101.</ref> In the final Test, which England won to take the series, Hutton became the first man in Tests, and only the fourth in all first-class cricket, to be given out [[obstructing the field]]: he edged a ball in the air and legitimately knocked it away from his wickets with his bat; in doing so, he prevented a catch being taken and was given out.<ref>Howat, p. 102.</ref> This remains the only such instance in Tests.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/275285.html| title = Unusual dismissals | publisher = ESPNcricinfo | access-date =22 February 2012}}</ref> Hutton ended the Test series with 378 runs at an average of 54.00.<ref name=tbat/> Late in the season, he scored a century against Gloucestershire to become the second Yorkshire player after Sutcliffe to complete centuries against the other 16 first-class counties.<ref>Chalke and Hodgson, p. 58.</ref>