Lives in Cricket No 16 - Joe Hardstaff

match at 3.45 pm India were 390 for five, giving them a lead of 22 runs. At the beginning of August, Fagg, Worthington, Copson and Duckworth were added to the team for Australia. In the meantime, Joe continued on his way, making 78 and 44 against Kent at Trent Bridge followed by nought and two against Surrey in the Bank Holiday match at The Oval. He then made 112 against Leicestershire at Aylestone Road. Notts returned to Trent Bridge to play Lancashire. Joe made a hard-hit 62 – an innings in which, The Cricketer tells us, he made many brilliant strokes in 110 minutes. Sadly he tore a leg muscle while fielding on the third day. This caused him to miss the next Notts match which was against Warwickshire. Worse still he had to miss the Third Test at The Oval. During the Lancashire match it was announced that the selectors had chosen a further five players for Australia – Holmes, Barnett, Voce, Farnes and Sims. There was one more place to be filled – that of the wicket-keeper. If he was fit there was no doubt that it would be Ames. The team for The Oval was announced at the same time. Gover and Gimblett – both of whom had missed out on selection for Australia – were dropped, being replaced by Voce and Sims. The twelve selected were Allen, Robins, Hammond, Leyland, 50 Towards a Regular England Place, 1936 Grace, power and the long handle. Joe driving in his innings of 94 against India in the Manchester Test in 1936. The wicket-keeper is K.R.Meherhomji.