Lives in Cricket No 16 - Joe Hardstaff

first-class cricket on 20 May but after four unproductive matches, had dropped out on 2 June and did not return to the Gloucestershire side until 17 June. Even though the wicket had been covered, rain, which spoilt so much of 1936, washed out play on the first day. Wyatt won the toss and the North batted first. Keeton and Bakewell opened, but both had gone by the time the total had reached 18. Had the South taken all their chances the North would have been 83 for four. Even so the score was 134 for four when Joe came to the wicket to find Allen bowling very fast and making the ball fly. Wyatt was hit over the heart, but he recovered to score 67. Facing Gover, Allen, Stephenson, Robins, James Langridge and Holmes, Joe took his chance in both hands, scoring 89 not out. The Cricketer was full of praise, describing his innings as ‘beautiful and faultless’. Its correspondent went on to say that he had ‘lovely’ wrists and that he forced the short-length ball through the covers like Hammond. The only criticism was that he should have gone for the bowling while Copson was at the wicket. Joe and Copson added 39 for the last wicket to which Copson, making a rare venture into double figures, contributed 24 while giving four chances. Wisden felt that Joe’s innings was the display of the match. For the South, Turnbull made 106 and Fishlock 48 and the match ended in a draw. Joe missed the next two Nottinghamshire matches against Kent and Lancashire, presumably because of injury. He returned for the Warwickshire match at Trent Bridge and scored 121. At one point Notts had been reduced to 127 for six, but Joe and Ben Lilley added 166 for the seventh wicket in 140 minutes, Lilley making 124 before being bowled by Hollies. Joe’s hundred took him 195 minutes and included two sixes – both off Hollies – and 19 fours. The team for the First Test Match at Lord’s had now been selected by Warner, Perrin and Higson. Allen replaced Wyatt as captain. Twelve players were chosen: Allen, Wyatt, Robins, Turnbull, Leyland, Verity, 27 Arthur Mitchell, Gimblett, James Langridge, Gover, Duckworth and Hardstaff. Hammond, of course, was unavailable. The batsmen were Wyatt, Turnbull, Leyland, Mitchell, Gimblett and Hardstaff. Turnbull, who had not played Test cricket since he had made two unproductive appearances against the West Towards a Regular England Place, 1936 46 27 It is worthy of comment that Verity had already taken 105 wickets at 9.75 in 499.3 overs by this point in the season – 27 June.