Lives in Cricket No 16 - Joe Hardstaff

said, “Yes, Sir.” He asked me, “Don’t you want to know what you’re going to be paid?” What he didn’t realise was that I would have virtually done the job for next to nothing.’ As well as playing cricket, his duties included putting up nets, rolling practice wickets, acting as gatekeeper, ticket collector and bowling at members who had the right to ask for a net. 4 When not required by Notts, Joe continued to play for Annesley. His top score was 73 against Notts Club and Ground and there was a 72 against Shirebrook described in The Mansfield and Kirkby Chronicle as ‘a fine knock – a brilliant 72.’ Having made his first appearance for the Club and Ground side against Bentinck on 16 May, a match in which he did not bat, Joe made his debut for the second eleven in an away game in the Minor Counties Championship against Staffordshire at Porthill Park, Newcastle-under-Lyme, on 6 August. The Nottinghamshire team consisted of two amateurs – George Heane (captain) and A.Morley – and nine professionals – young Gunn, Keeton, Harris, Copley, Hodgkinson, Taylor, Matthews, Wheat and Hardstaff. Amongst the opposition was the legendary Sydney Barnes, now aged 55, but who was still able to capture 55 wickets at an average of 7.34 in the season. Supporting him was Aaron Lockett who took 53 wickets at 16.39. Joe was dismissed by Barnes for 33 in the first innings and fell to Lockett for eight in his second visit to the wicket. Staffordshire won on first innings, gaining three points. Notts had one. Also playing for Staffordshire was Arthur Ikin, father of Jack, who was to accompany Joe to Australia and the West Indies. A week later Notts travelled to Skegness to play Lincolnshire. There were two changes in the Notts team, Shipston and William Flint replacing Morley and Hodgkinson. This time Notts won on first innings with Joe making 22 and nought. Joe’s first season in the second eleven brought him 63 runs at a modest average of 15.75. He had, however, made a good first impression and on 1 October 1928 the committee offered him a contract for the next three years. In 1929 he would be paid £2 10s 0d (£2.50) per week which would rise to £3 per week in 1930 and 1931. Notts were clearly anticipating his improvement. Nottinghamshire’s second eleven had taken part in the Minor Counties Championship since 1924 but had achieved little, 16 Groundstaff to First Eleven, 1928-1930 4 The author remembers this privilege still being available in the 1960s.