5 famous cricketers whose comebacks from retirement didn't quite go as expected

3) Wally Hammond

One of the greatest English cricketers of all time Wally Hammond disappointed everyone on his return

One of the greatest batsmen England have ever produced, the classy Wally Hammond had an illustrious career for the three lions in which he plundered 7,249 Test runs (22 centuries) at 58.45 and scalped 732 wickets at an impressive average 30.58.

Considered one of the greats of the game, Wally had an outstanding First-Class career in which he amassed 50,493 runs, with 167 centuries at an average of 56.10.

Before the arrival of Sir Donald Bradman, Hammond was unquestionably the best batsman in the world purely because of his aura and invincibility. This stupendous legend lost six summers to the Second World War and retired after some performances which did not meet up to his standards and many still believe that should have marked the end of a glittering career.

But that was not how it turned out to be. After making a brief comeback in 1950 to play a three-day first-class match against Ireland for an MCC side, he made 15 and 92 not out but the cricket there was surely not of worthy of a first-class match. Possibly spurred by that comeback and some cajoling by committee members, Wally decided to play for Gloucestershire in 1951.

However, the comeback turned out to be a huge disaster as he looked completely at sea, making just 7.