The 1928 series

Jack Hobbs - A century at The Oval for Surrey's finest

West Indies made their first Test appearances in England and it proved a difficult baptism as they suffered an innings defeat in all three matches.

England controlled the first game at Lord's after totalling 401 in their first innings, built around an innings of 122 by George Tyldesley.

Learie Constantine took four for 82, but the tourists had no answer to England's attack as they were bowled out for 177 and 166 to lose by an innings and 58 runs, although there was consolation in Joseph Small's 52 on the final day.

West Indies won the toss and batted first in the second Test at Manchester and although opener Clifford Roach made 50, they were dismissed for 206 with Tich Freeman taking five for 54 with his well-flighted leg breaks.

A stand of 119 by Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe provided a solid foundation for England's reply, but Douglas Jardine's 83 was the top score in a total of 351.

Resistance

The tourists lost both openers for ducks in their second innings and only Martin and Hill offered prolonged resistance as Freeman completed a magnificent individual display with five for 39 as West Indies were dismissed for 115 to lose by an innings and 30 runs.

The third Test took place at The Oval in August and this time England's margin of victory was an innings and 71 runs.

Another half century by Roach was the highlight of West Indies' 238 all out, their best score of the series, but a masterly 159 by Hobbs, supported by half centuries from Sutcliffe (63), Tyldesley (73) and Maurice Tate (54) gave England a first innings lead of 200.

Herman Griffith and George Francis bowled well for figures of six for 103 and four for 112 respectively but their batting again looked frail in the second innings as they were hustled out for 129, with Freeman taking four for 47 and Harold Larwood and Tate collecting three wickets each.