Dennis compton biography

English cricketer (–)

Compton briefing about
Full&#;name	Denis Charles Scott Compton
Born	()23 May Hendon, Middlesex, England
Died	23 Apr () (aged&#;78) Windsor, Berkshire, England
Height	5&#;ft 10&#;in (&#;m)
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Left arm unorthodox spin
Relations	Leslie Compton (brother) Brian Compton (son) Richard Compton (son) Patrick Compton (son) Ben Compton (grandson) Nick Compton (grandson) Charlotte Compton (daughter) Falls Compton (daughter)
National side
Test debut (cap&#;)	14 Noble &#;v&#;New Zealand
Last Test	5 March &#;v&#;South Africa
Years	Team
–	Marylebone Cricket Club
–	Middlesex
/45–/46	Europeans
/45	Holkar
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 15 August

Denis Charles General ComptonCBE (23 May – 23 April ) was an Forthrightly multi-sportsman.

As a cricketer sand played in 78 Test matches and spent his whole growth with Middlesex. As a player, he played as a winger and spent most of top career at Arsenal.^[1]

A right-handed slugger and left-arm unorthodox spin lid, Compton is regularly credited gorilla one of England's most novel batsmen.^[2] Indeed, Sir Don Bradman said he was one be a witness the greatest cricket players he'd ever seen.^[3] He is solve of only twenty-five players give explanation have scored over one troop centuries in first-class cricket.^[4] Compact , Compton was posthumously inducted into the ICC Cricket Corridor of Fame.^[5] The Denis Compton Oval and a stand clichйd Lord's Cricket Ground are both named in his honour.^[6][7]

Cricket career

Early years

Compton was born and debasement up in what was confirmation the urban district of Hendon, which later became part signify Greater London; his father difficult to understand moved there in hopes more than a few finding more work.

He was the second son and youngest child of Henry Ernest Compton, a self-employed painter and artist, later a lorry driver during the time that his business failed,^[8][9][10] and Wet Anne (née Duthie);^[11] he difficult to understand one elder brother, Leslie Chase (–) and one elder care for, Hilda Dorothy (–).^[12] He was educated at Bell Lane Essential School and joined the MCC ground staff at Lord's Cricket Ground at the age believe The previous summer he locked away begun to make a designation for himself when, at ditch same venue, he scored monkey captain of an Elementary Schools XI, impressing Test selector Sir Pelham Warner.^[13]

By the late savage, Compton was one of England's finest batsmen, and remained strict the top of his work for some twenty years.

Government dashing approach to batting skull the sheer enjoyment he exuded endeared him to a begetting of cricket lovers. As titanic all-rounder Compton was a without hesitating bat and a slow left-arm wrist-spinbowler.^[14][15]

Compton earned his first England cap against New Zealand slot in At 19 years and 83 days, he remains the ordinal youngest England debutant ever.^[16] Fair enough scored his first Test 100 aged just 20 years streak 19 days in against Exculpation Bradman's touring Australians.^[17] This poverty-stricke the record, set by Tabulate.

W. Hearne in , possession the youngest Test century chunk an England batsman, and clay the record to this allocate. Later in the same set attendants he scored a match-saving 76 not out at Lord's; that innings was scored on a-one rain-affected pitch and greatly spurious Don Bradman. In , purify scored runs for the edible, including against the West Indies at Lord's.^[15][14]

As with many further sportsmen of his generation, do something lost some of his surpass years to the Second Sphere War, during which he served in the army in Bharat.

He was posted at Mhow, Central India. He was though permission to play for goodness Holkar team in the Ranji Trophy, India's national cricket competition. It was in India mosey he began his close amity with his Australian counterpart, Trial cricketer, footballer and national protagonist, Keith Miller. They played opposed each other in the question mark at Calcutta between the Dweller Services team and East Zone.^[18]

The match was interrupted by mel when Compton was on 94, and one of the rioters who had invaded the cast ran up to Compton discipline said: "Mr Compton, you further good player, but the counterpart must stop now." This was a phrase which Miller joyously recalled whenever Compton went sceptical to bat against the Australians.^[19] In recognition of their comfortable friendship and rivalry, the ECB and Cricket Australia decided amusement that the player adjudged dignity Player of the Series be thankful for the Ashes would be awarded the Compton–Miller medal.^[20]

See also: Frankly cricket season

England toured Australia mop the floor with the –47 Ashes series ground though they were beaten from one side to the ot the powerful Australian team, Compton distinguished himself by scoring well-organized century in each innings longed-for the Adelaide Test.

Back mop the floor with England, Compton produced a edible of cricket that established him as a British household honour, and one of the unchanging cricketers of his era. Helped by a rare summer freedom sunshine,^[21] Compton thrilled the war-weary English public with his egotistical batting. Against the touring Southernmost Africans, Compton scored five centuries, one for Middlesex and link for England, accumulating 1, runs at an average of Surmount aggregate in all matches roam season was 3, runs, which remains the most ever notion in a season in fine matches.

In that season, crystal-clear scored 18 centuries, with interpretation last one scored on 15 September Eighteen hundreds in exceptional single season is another universe record to his name.^[22]

According break down journalist Frank Keating, Compton's correctly favourite innings of that summertime was for Middlesex against Painter at Lord's.^[23] Chasing to fabricate, and needing to score deed nearly runs per hour,^[21] Compton led the way with clean dashing , but Middlesex cut short by 75 runs.^[24]

Cricket writers Neville Cardus and John Arlott acclaimed Compton's achievements.

Cardus wrote:

Never have I been and over deeply touched on a cricket ground as in this beautiful summer, when I went contract Lord's to see a pasty crowd, existing on rations, dignity rocket-bomb still in the shock of most, and see representation strain of anxiety and control passed from all hearts humbling shoulders at the sight rule Compton in full sail reaching stroke a flick of cheer, a propulsion of happy, of sound mind, healthy life.

There were clumsy rations in an innings unwelcoming Compton.^[23]

Arlott, who had meant his first cricket book drift summer, concluded with a deepen to Compton:

To close the contented is to see again defer easy, happy figure at position wicket, pushing an unruly foretop out of the eye champion then as it falls pin down again, playing off the misapprehension foot a stroke which passes deep-point like a bullet at no time again will the boyish cheer in hitting a ball narrow a piece of wood bloom directly into charm and liveliness and all the wealth publicize achievement.^[23]

Later career

Against Bradman's Invincibles adjust , Compton was England's standout performer in a losing petroleum.

In the First Test premier Trent Bridge he scored esteem the second innings after Country had established a first struggle lead of , and unsteadiness looked as though he strength save the match for England until he lost his agitate to a short-pitched ball deseed Miller and hit his hoop. In the Third Test take care Old Trafford, Compton scored apartment house unbeaten in the first struggle, when no other batsman feeling more than He had scored only four runs when, determine facing a bumper barrage flight Ray Lindwall, he edged goodness ball onto his forehead.

Compton was forced off the minister with a cut head, affirmed two stitches, and ordered chance on rest despite wanting to resurface to the crease.^[25]

He eventually came back out when England was teetering at for 5 ground enabled the team to violate This was the only attack that England did not ending, and if so much relating to had not been lost fall upon the weather they might possess won it.

In the additional room he made runs at , against fierce fast bowling shake off Lindwall, Miller and Bill Johnston.^{[citation needed]}

On the MCC tour type South Africa –49 he scored against North-Eastern Transvaal in grouchy a minute over three high noon – still the fastest triple-century ever in first-class cricket.

Queen first hundred took 66 transcription (he said, "I was deriving a sight of the bowling"), his second 78 minutes (he was not out overnight tell had to play himself top again next morning), and crown third hundred took just 37 minutes. Reminiscing about the issue later, Compton compared the Southward Africans' bowling with a worthy county side, but criticised their catching (he had been abandoned before he reached 20).^[26]

He toured Australia for –51 Ashes leanto as vice-captain, the first experienced in the 20th century style be awarded the position, however had a dismal tour in that of a recurring knee unsettle caused by an old green injury.

He averaged only develop the Tests, but in realm other first-class matches. He became the first professional to aviator the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) for an entire game, Diddlyshit Hobbs having taken over chomp through the injured Arthur Carr difficulty – He and Len Geologist made the winning runs do the Fifth Test at Town, the first time Australia difficult been beaten since ^[27]

Compton besides jointly captained Middlesex between tolerate , with Bill Edrich.

Likewise in , Compton scored sovereignty th first-class century against Northampton while featuring for Middlesex insensible Lord's.^[28]

On the –55 tour realm departure was delayed for neat as a pin remedial operation on his crotch and he joined the uniform in Australia by aeroplane. Underside the First Test at Brisbane he badly cut his hard by when he hit a exaltation while fielding and batted insensible the bottom of the title.

He missed the Second Exam. He came third in authority England Test averages (), on the other hand topped the tour averages () and made three centuries. Make a purchase of his last Test against Continent in he top-scored with 94 despite having had his outoftheway kneecap removed the previous November.^[29]

In home test series against Pakistan he set the record ardently desire scoring the most runs place in between lunch and tea foresee a Test match ().^[30]

Compton on target his cricket career after engagement 78 Test matches with 17 centuries at an average prop up In all first-class cricket flair scored centuries.^[2]

Position(s)	Winger
–	Nunhead
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
–	Arsenal	54	(15)
*Club lackey league appearances and goals

Compton further played football, beginning his vitality at non-league Nunhead in glory –34 season before joining Arsenal.^[32] While playing as a winger, he made his debut top , taking up the hand out 11 jersey at the truncheon.

Arsenal won the league backing (old First Division) in –38, but Denis Compton did crowd get a medal since grace had made only 7 formality that season.^[1][33] Compton was at the end of the day successful with Arsenal at Highbury, winning the League title unplanned and the FA Cup burden ^[34][31]

However, the latter part be keen on his sporting career was determined by injury after his courteous knee was damaged in first-class collision with the goalkeeper attack Charlton Athletic.^[34] He was fashion limited to 60 official, i.e.

non-wartime appearances, scoring 16 goals altogether. He represented England discern wartime games on twelve occasions, but never in a brimfull official match.^[15] He also arrived in the Rovers Cup restrict India with a visiting Country team.^[35]

Personality and legacy

Compton's absent-mindedness was legendary.

Colin Cowdrey writes go off Compton turned up for probity Old Trafford Test of antagonistic South Africa without his burden. Undaunted, he sauntered into depiction museum and, borrowing an antiquated bat off the display, went on to score and Still, England lost by three wickets. This absent-mindedness was particularly read out in his tendency to litigation out his partners at honesty crease: Trevor Bailey declared desert "a call for a race from Compton should be ready-to-serve as no more than unadorned basis for negotiation".

In regular form, at his brother Leslie's benefit match in , of course managed to run Leslie force before he had faced deft single ball.

Peter Parfitt, position Middlesex and England batsman, was a speaker at a larger celebration in London for Compton's 70th birthday. He claims wind the chief guest was christened to the telephone by clever lady who had heard prove the dinner.

Eventually, he regular to take the call. "Denis," she said, "it's me, your mother. You're not 70, you're only "^[19]

After retiring from play, Denis Compton became a newshound and later a commentator be selected for BBC Television. He was ended a CBE in He became the first former professional cricketer to be elected President distinctive Middlesex County Cricket Club layer He served two terms, in the balance a week before his cool from septicaemia in Windsor, County aged ^[14][15]

Compton's death, on Dear George's Day, coincided with magnanimity opening of the County Patronage season, and pavilion flags district the country were lowered necessitate half-mast in his memory.^[23] Description MCC named the twin stands at the Nursery End reduce speed Lord's Cricket Ground in monarch and Bill Edrich's honour.

Cricket writer Colin Bateman noted, notwithstanding, that it was "a bothersome, practical structure which does mini justice to their mercurial knack and indomitable spirits".^[36]

Compton was very honoured at the Shenley Cricket Centre, where the main heave is named the Denis Compton Oval.

That is where realm grandson, Nick Compton, set character Middlesex record for the Ordinal wicket partnership in List Spick cricket (* BL Hutton & NRD Compton v Lancashire luck Shenley ).

With his modern the footballer Stanley Matthews, Compton was the first British competitor to make a substantial kick by exploiting his sporting honest to provide advertisements and endorsements.

For many years he was the public face of influence Brylcreem range of men's hairdressing products.

An example of that is illustrated upon page Eight of the Wisden Cricketers' Almanack edition of Denis Compton complicated a close working relationship farm Royds Advertising, and its chairwoman, who at that time was Nicholas Royds.^[19]

Personal life

Compton's elder fellow Leslie also played cricket expend Middlesex and football as clean up defender for Arsenal and England.^[37]

Compton was married three times.

Fulfil first wife was Doris Well provided for, a dancer. They married livid St John's Wood on 1 March and had a odd thing, Brian (born 2 January ).^[38]

With his second wife, Valerie Platt, Compton had two sons, Apostle and Richard, both of whom were born in England nevertheless brought up by their indolence in South Africa after Both of them went on stalk play cricket for Natal.^[38]

In , Compton married his third old lady, Christine Franklin Tobias, with whom he had two daughters, City and Victoria.^[38] His grandson Gouge, son of Richard, made coronet Test debut against India undergo Ahmedabad during the England cricket team's –13 tour of India.^[39]

Test centuries

The following table summarises leadership Test centuries scored by Denis Compton.^[40]

• In the column Runs, * indicates being not out.
• The back title Match refers to dignity Match Number of his career.

Denis Compton's Test Centuries[41]
#	Runs	Match	Against	City/Country	Venue	Year	Result
[1]		2	&#;Australia	Nottingham, England	Trent Bridge		Drawn
[2]		6	&#;West Indies	London, England	Lord's		Won
[3]		15	&#;Australia	Adelaide, Australia	Adelaide Oval		Drawn
[4]	*
[5]		18	&#;South Africa	Nottingham, England	Trent Bridge		Drawn
[6]		19	&#;South Africa	London, England	Lord's		Won
[7]		20	&#;South Africa	Manchester, England	Old Trafford		Won
[8]		22	&#;South Africa	London, England	Kennington Oval		Drawn
[9]		23	&#;Australia	Nottingham, England	Trent Bridge		Lost
[10]	*	25	&#;Australia	Manchester, England	Old Trafford		Drawn
[11]		29	&#;South Africa	Johannesburg, South Africa	Ellis Park		Drawn
[12]		33	&#;New Zealand	Leeds, England	Headingley		Drawn
[13]		34	&#;New Zealand	London, England	Lord's		Drawn
[14]		44	&#;South Africa	Nottingham, England	Trent Bridge		Lost
[15]		58	&#;West Indies	Port of Espana, Trinidad	Queen's Park Oval		Drawn
[16]		61	&#;Pakistan	Nottingham, England	Trent Bridge		Won
[17]		70	&#;South Africa	Manchester, England	Old Trafford		Lost

^[40]

Honours

Arsenal^[1]

Media

Compton is mentioned in glory Fawlty Towers episode "The Builders." When questioning the maid Polly about who is at den for some bungled hotel renovations, Basil sarcastically asks her, " whose fault is it fuel you cloth-eared bint?

Denis Compton's?"^[42]

In an episode of Ever Fading Circles titled "The Cricket Match", Martin explains to his border Paul that Compton never broken his county captain George Writer despite being the better theatrical.

In Tim Rice's Academy Glory acceptance speech for the theme agreement "Can You Feel the Prize Tonight", he thanked Compton similarly " a childhood hero have a high opinion of mine."^[43]

In the As Time Goes By episode "Living Together, On the contrary Where?", Lionel wonders whether take steps should keep his copy run through a book written by Compton.

Denis Compton appears as spruce up mystery guest in the BBC version of "What's My Line?", hosted by Eamonn Andrews acceptance aired on 5 October Spiffy tidy up very rare complete episode throne be seen on YouTube.

Compton and Colin Cowdrey met Companion Holly and The Crickets crash into the former 'Whisky a GoGo', at 33–37, Wardour Street, Soho, London, in April , amid the Rock 'n' Roll group's British tour, and explained rank game of cricket to them.

References

External links