Percy Holmes & 555

I think everybody knows about 555 cigarette but very few know how and why the company named their product a 555.
Former England batsmen Percy Holmes (and Herbert Sutcliffe) are responsible, though indirectly, for it.
In 1932, Holmes and Sutcliffe had put on 555 runs for the first wicket for Yorkshire against Essex at Leyton.
This was very famous partnership in that era and also a world record in a first class cricket. To mark the occasion one tobacco company branded its cigarette name as 555.
There are only 9 occasions when a partnership of over 500 runs has been register in the history of first class cricket.
3rd September, is the death anniversary of Percy Holmes who died on this day of 1971 at the age of 84.
Percy Holmes began his cricket career in 1913 and it lasted for two decades.
In 1932, ten days after he and Sutcliffe had made 555 together Holmes once again, and for the last time, received recognition from the English Selection Committee; he went to open with Sutcliffe at Lord'sagainst India, scoring only 6 and 11. So, altogether this superb batsman played for England on seven occasions, and in 14 innings he scored 357 runs at an average of 27.46. Coincidently Holmes last test was India’s first test.
The most amazing part of Percy Holmes’ first class career is that it lasted for 555 matches. He played 555 matches between 1913-1933 and scored 30573 runs in 810 innings @42.11 with 67 hundred and 141 half centuries.

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