Lives in Cricket No 16 - Joe Hardstaff

After his Australian triumph, Joe came down to earth, scoring 10 and 14 against Wellington who beat MCC by 14 runs. He missed the Canterbury match which included play on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, before reappearing against Otago over the New Year. MCC won by an innings and 115 runs. Joe scored 86 and had a fourth-wicket partnership of 146 with Mitchell-Innes. The first match against New Zealand began at Carisbrook, Dunedin on 10 January and ended three days later in a draw. New Zealand won the toss and batted first, but were dismissed in 117 minutes for 81, Read taking six for 26. MCC responded with 653 for five declared. Parks (100), Barber (173) and James Langridge, with 106 not out, all scored centuries and Human made 97. Joe was fifth highest scorer with 76. Just before the declaration Holmes reached 50 in 25 minutes. It was estimated that the New Zealanders dropped 16 catches in the course of the innings. Rain and bad light shortened the final day. After being 14 for three in their second innings New Zealand reached 205 for seven. Only Vivian, who made 87 not out, had any answer to the pace of Read who took five for 74, giving him match figures of 11 for 100. The second match against New Zealand started on 17 January at the Basin Reserve, Wellington. Once again time was lost to the weather with play ending early on the first day and starting late on the second day. New Zealand had by far the best of this match which ended with MCC being 185 runs behind with only three wickets in hand. Joe’s contributions were modest, nought and 10. Then followed a series of minor matches against Wanganui, Taranaki, Rangnitkei, Manawatu, Hawke’s Bay, Poverty Bay, Bay of Plenty and Piako. Joe was unbeaten for 109 against Taranaki and he made 75 against Manawatu. By now it was mid-February and only three first-class matches remained. Joe made 31 in a drawn game against Auckland. Thanks to rain on the first and last days this match never got beyond an innings apiece. Three days were not enough for a result in the third match against New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland. New Zealand made 368, their innings ending on the second morning. By the close of play MCC had reached 298 for six, with Joe 57 not out. He reached his century on the third morning and was unbeaten on 147, having batted for 220 minutes and hitting one six and 12 fours. This century took him past 1,000 runs in first-class matches on the tour. 42 With MCC to Australia and New Zealand, 1935/36