Lives in Cricket No 16 - Joe Hardstaff

which the Surrey groundsman, ‘Bosser’ Martin, had promised would last until Christmas. Whoever won the toss would have to bat first for as long as possible and for as large a total as possible. Fortunately for the selectors, Hammond won the toss and by close of play on the Saturday England were well placed at 347 for one – Hutton 160 not out and Leyland 156 not out. On the Monday England moved on to 634 for five. Hutton was still there on 300. Joe, batting at No.7, came to the wicket at 5.05 pm with the score at 555 for five. There had been a minor collapse hereabouts as the score had been 546 for two. Recognising that here was a heaven-sent chance of getting his own back on the Australian bowlers, especially O’Reilly and Fleetwood-Smith, Joe was soon under way and when bad light stopped play at 6.17 pm he had reached 40. The following morning all attention was on Hutton as he set about beating Bradman’s record Test score of 334, made at Leeds in 1930. Progress was steady and Hutton was grateful to Joe who carried on quietly, keeping the score moving and allowing Hutton to concentrate fully on his own innings. After an hour the total reached 694 for five: Hutton was now 321 and Joe was 77. Finally, at 12.47 with the score at 711, Hutton cut a ball from Fleetwood- Smith for four to take his score to 335. Joe was straight up the wicket to shake his hand. By lunch the score was 758 for five: Hutton was 361 and Joe 96. Joe reached his century with a four in the first over after lunch. Then, when they had added 215 for the sixth wicket, a record in Tests between England and Australia, 41 Hutton was finally dismissed for 364. Joined by Arthur Wood, Joe batted on rather slowly. This led to some criticism, especially from Neville Cardus, and The Cricketer felt that he neglected scoring opportunities. In Joe’s defence it must be said that on leaving the dressing room Hammond had instructed him to ‘play steady’. It was a timeless Test so there was no hurry. There was also the fear about what Bradman might do. No doubt too Joe felt that he was getting a bit of his own back after the ups and downs of the 1936/37 series. A further 106 runs were added for the seventh wicket. At 4.21 pm, with the score at 887 for seven, Bradman, who was bowling from the Vauxhall End, attempted to field a hard drive by Joe, but turned his ankle over in one of the craters in the crease that had been created by the Regular England Player, 1937-1939 75 41 The record was equalled by Boycott and Knott at Trent Bridge in 1977.