Lives in Cricket No 16 - Joe Hardstaff

civilian life and the return to intensive full-time cricket obviously hindered him and he could produce, in twenty matches, only 833 championship runs at an average of 28.72. E.H.D.Sewell thought him too inclined to ‘flick’ at good-length deliveries just outside the off stump. There was a solitary century – 113 against Gloucester- shire at Bristol – and four fifties. This was in complete contrast to his form in representative matches when he scored 115 in the first Test Trial at Lord’s and an unbeaten 205 in the First Test there. The first Test Trial began at Lord’s on 12 June. Joe’s selection must have been based on his reputation rather than his current form as at this point in the season he had only scored 185 runs at an average of 20.55, with a highest score of 66 against Kent. The match was affected by rain which halved the playing time. The Rest made 209 and England were 294 for seven. Joe’s share of the latter total was 115 and made his selection for the First Test a certainty. There were two Notts games before the Test Match. Rain ruined the first fixture, against the Indians, and Joe did not bat. The second match was against Sussex and in an eight-wicket victory Joe made 64 and 51, being not out both times. This augured well for the first Test Match in England since August 1939, which started at Lord’s on Saturday, 22 June. The Nawab of Pataudi won the toss and chose to bat, but after much rain, the pitch made run-getting difficult and India were dismissed for 200. Alec Bedser did the damage, taking seven for 49 in his first Test. England began badly, losing Hutton and Compton with the score at 16; Washbrook was third out at 61. This brought Joe to the wicket, but after only nine runs had been added Hammond was dismissed. Amarnath had taken all four wickets and the situation was critical. All now depended on Joe and Paul Gibb, the bespectacled Yorkshire wicket-keeper. They slowly got on top and by the close of play had taken the score to 135 for four. Joe was on 42 and Gibb had made 23. Continuing on Monday they had added 182 before Gibb was dismissed for 60 and England had taken the lead. Assisted by the rest of the order, Joe went on his way and by the time Bowes, the last man, was lbw to Hazare at 428 he had made an undefeated 205. 47 All are unanimous that this was a great innings and he 88 Post-War Years, 1946-1948 47 This was only the third double-century by an English batsman in a Lord’s Test; his predecessors were Hobbs and Hammond, hence the enthusiasm with which it was received.