 While on tour in South Africa in 1927 – 28 , Hammond did not dominate as expected . Still recovering from his illness , he was worn out from the strain of a long season . He showed good batting form , but once George Geary was injured , a strong but not fully representative side found itself short of bowling , forcing Hammond to play as an all @-@ rounder . In all first @-@ class matches on the tour , he scored 908 runs at an average of 47 @.@ 78 , and took 27 wickets at an average of 23 @.@ 85 . His Test debut came in the first match of the series , as he scored a quick 51 in his only innings and took five wickets for 36 runs in the South African second innings . At one point , he took three wickets for no runs and his bowling was described by Wisden as a key factor in an England victory . His best innings came in the third Test as he reached 90 . He had some good bowling spells , and in the fourth Test he removed both South African openers . An innings of 66 in the fifth and final Test left him with 321 runs at an average of 40 @.@ 12 in his debut series , while his 15 wickets cost 26 @.@ 60 runs each . All of Hammond 's batting appearances were at number four in the order ; of his 140 career Test innings , 118 were at number three or four . The series was drawn 2 – 2 . 
