Cricketing pedigrees didn't come much better than this. Grandson of England legend Len Hutton and also Ben Brocklehurst, a Hampshire captain and owner of The Cricketer, and son of another England Test player, Richard, Ben Hutton was earmarked for attention and comparisons from an early age, and subjected to a fair amount of scrutiny throughout his time at Radley and Durham University. A top-order batsman and occasional - but useful - seamer, his first couple of seasons at Middlesex only hinted at his potential, but in 2001 he made three hundreds, and he followed this with four more in 2003, narrowly missing out on 1000 runs for the season. He put that right in 2004, and at the end of the summer was appointed Middlesex's captain. In 2006 the pressure of leading a side in turmoil appeared to get to him ,and he suffered illness. He was replaced by Ed Smith in 2007 and was unable to regain his place in the side. It was, nevertheless, a surprise when he announced his retirement at the end of the summer while still only 30.
Martin Williamson October 2007