 Conscious of the need to improve after his uncertain start to first @-@ class cricket , Hammond scored his maiden first @-@ class century in the first match of the 1923 season , making 110 and 92 opening the batting against Surrey . He did not reach three figures again that season , but his performances and batting technique impressed several critics , such as cricket correspondent Neville Cardus , former England and Middlesex captain Plum Warner , and The Times correspondent ; Cardus described him as a future England player . In all first @-@ class matches that season , Hammond scored 1 @,@ 421 runs at an average of 27 @.@ 86 . With the ball , he took 18 first @-@ class wickets at an average of 41 @.@ 22 , including figures of six for 59 against Hampshire . Reviewing the season , Wisden 's correspondent declared that Hammond " has all the world before him and there is no telling how far he may go " . 
