 At both Portsmouth and Cirencester , Hammond excelled at sports including cricket ( playing for the Portsmouth Grammar School second eleven ) , football and fives . At Cirencester , he played football for the school first eleven in his first term . He quickly reached the school cricket first eleven , where he outperformed the other players and became captain in his second season ; his headmaster , quickly spotting his potential , encouraged him . His first century was scored in a match against a parents ' team from the school . In an inter @-@ house match , he scored 365 not out , albeit against very weak bowling . These achievements brought him some local acclaim . Hammond enjoyed less success in the classroom ; his marks were usually low , and he preferred to be out playing cricket . 
