interestingly, he started as a spin bowler and not very good batter. he was picked for england as a bowler and number 11 batter, but as he got older his bowling deteriorated so he worked on his batting and ended up opening for england. he and jack hobbs were a great opening partnership, until obviously sutcliffe came along and he and hobbs were even better.
then, in his late career, when yorkshire were struggling for a spinner he worked on his bowling again and was in the england team for his bowling again.
one of the best players england ever produced.