Chapter Twenty-Nine Hampshire v Kent Canterbury’s St Lawrence ground was clearly in need of repair when county cricket resumed in 1946. The old wooden gates were replaced by new iron ones and chestnuts were planted as an avenue up the drive. Over in Hampshire, the County Ground at Northlands Road, Southampton – the club’s home since 1885 – also bore signs of wartime wear and tear but the crowds cared little after their long years of deprivation. Kent had the better of things in the first two seasons. Rain ruined the Whitsuntide game at Southampton in 1946 but there was enough time for Charlie Knott’s off spin to trouble the visiting batsmen. These were the years when England launched an increasingly desperate search for a fast bowler as the pre-war exponents aged and the Kent trio Jack Martin, Fred Ridgway and Norman Harding had their advocates. Martin was not playing at Canterbury in 1946 but the latter pair failed to trouble the Hampshire openers Johnny Arnold and Arthur Holt who posted 156 before a wicket fell on Saturday. Hampshire’s inconsistency was legendary in 1946 – they were the only county to beat the champions, Yorkshire – and nobody else reached double figures in a total of 229. Kent seized their opportunity. Leslie Todd and Bryan Valentine made hundreds, Godfrey Evans got 72 and then the 24-year-old Tony Pawson, the Winchester captain of 1939-40, came to the middle. Pawson, who had spent four years in the Rifle Brigade on foreign service, was appearing in his first county match. He recalled how as he walked down the pavilion steps he heard a voice proclaim loudly: “It’s ridiculous the committee allowing untried youngsters to play in Canterbury Week.” Pawson struck 12 fours in making 90 before he was last out attempting a sharp second run after pulling to midwicket. Kent’s 477 and some fine bowling from Ridgway and Harding was enough to bring victory by an innings. A collection for Joe Murrin, Canterbury groundsman for 41 years, realised £261. The Southampton game of 1947 was almost a replica. Arnold and Neville Rogers began with an opening partnership of 126; Hampshire made 367 and then Leslie Ames hit 27 fours in scoring 179 faultless runs. Martin’s pace proved too much for Hampshire in the second innings and Kent eased home by nine wickets. They carried their form to Canterbury – Todd’s benefit match - where in glorious weather Valentine was able to declare at 445 for seven, Arthur Fagg 123, Ames 94 and the captain himself 81. The Hampshire innings was notable for the performances of the type of occasional amateur so often associated with August. Lieut-Commander John Manners had last appeared for the county in 1936 and Canterbury was to be his solitary appearance in 1947. His innings was a delight, 121 out of 192 in two hours 40 minutes, perfect stroke play of drives, cuts and hooks bringing him 17 fours. Rev John Bridger, a wartime Cambridge blue, got 65 but Doug Wright, although punished, took five wickets and Hampshire had to follow on. Bridger made 43 but Manners ran himself out and the last six wickets 153