Robin Nicholas Stuart Hobbs was a renowned cricket player hailing from England. Born with a natural talent for legspin bowling, Hobbs made his mark on the cricketing world as a player with incredible skill and dedication. Despite being a rare breed of player in England, his unique combination of flighted legbreaks and well-disguised googlies set him apart from his contemporaries.
His professional journey began in 1961 when he made his debut for Essex County Cricket Club. After six years, Hobbs earned a call-up to represent his nation, making his debut for the England cricket team in 1967. This was a monumental achievement, as he was the first legspinner to play for the country in over two decades, with Ian Salisbury being the next legspinner to wear the Three Lions jersey.
Hobbs’ career spanned an impressive 18 years, during which he showcased his extraordinary skills across various teams and circumstances. After 14 seasons at Essex, he left the club in pursuit of new challenges, spending four fruitful years with Suffolk. However, Hobbs’ love for the game couldn’t keep him away from first-class cricket for too long, and he returned to the field, this time representing Glamorgan in 1979. In fact, he even captained Glamorgan during that year.
Though not establishing himself as a Test class spinner, Hobbs was a force to be reckoned with in domestic cricket. Known for his ability to contain batsmen, he was a reliable asset for any team he represented. Furthermore, he possessed an unexpected talent with the bat, surprising both himself and spectators when he smashed one of the fastest centuries in cricket history against the touring Australians in 1975. In just 44 minutes, Hobbs showcased his power-hitting abilities, ensuring he left a lasting imprint on the game.
Beyond his cricketing abilities, Hobbs was widely regarded as a likable and popular figure. His friendly demeanor and approachable nature endeared him to teammates and fans alike. Additionally, he displayed exceptional fielding skills in the covers, further contributing to his overall cricketing prowess.
During his international career, Hobbs played four Test matches in 1967, primarily against India and Pakistan. Though his success was moderate at best, he was awarded the opportunity to tour the West Indies in the following winter, where he participated in a single game. A year later, he journeyed to Pakistan for another tour, but due to unforeseeable circumstances, he did not get the chance to bowl or bat, as the match was abandoned on the third day.
Hobbs only made one more appearance for the England Test team in 1971, against Pakistan. However, he failed to take any wickets and subsequently decided to focus on county cricket once again. Despite not achieving the level of international success he aspired to, Hobbs’s contribution to cricket, both domestically and internationally, is undeniable.
