Lives in Cricket No 16 - Joe Hardstaff

Dollery for Barnett. Unfortunately, however, Joe had to withdraw on the Tuesday with a septic right foot which was to keep him out of action for a fortnight. George Emmett was added to the thirteen only to be omitted along with Jack Young. Dollery did well enough to keep his place for the Third Test at Manchester. Jack Crapp then took what might have been Joe’s place for the remaining Tests. Joe was unfortunate. As John Arlott wrote in Basingstoke Boy , ‘Joe Hardstaff made 43 which ought to have been enough to have kept his place for the next Test.’ It is worth noting too that, of the six chosen for their batting at Trent Bridge, Joe made more runs than Washbrook, Edrich and Barnett and that England always seemed to be batting while the light was bad. Joe returned to the Notts side for the game against Worcestershire starting on 3 July and scored 53, but it was too late for selection for the Third Test. His form in the rest of July was consistent, but not eye-catching, which is probably why the selectors did not consider him for the remaining Tests. Joe might have been selected for the South African tour the following winter, but it was not to be. Yardley, the current captain, was unavailable and was replaced by F.G.Mann. Edrich too was unable to go and perhaps Joe might have taken his place. The selectors, however, thought differently and gave the batting places 104 Post-War Years, 1946-1948 The Players side taking the field at the Scarborough festival in September 1947. Left to right: R.Howorth, J.Hardstaff, R.Pollard, L.Hutton (capt), L.B.Fishlock, T.G.Evans (wk), H.J.Butler, A.V.Bedser, D.Brookes, C.Washbrook and D.G.W.Fletcher.