Lives in Cricket No 22 - Jack Mercer

97 few leg-breaks into some of his longer spells. He also practised bowling off-cutters from around the wicket, as opposed to his normal delivery over the wicket and he opted for this style against Middlesex at the Arms Park. Bowling in tandem with Johnnie Clay and with just two fielders on the off-side – cover point and mid off – he was rewarded with the figures of 16-6-25-3 as Middlesex were dismissed for 104. A fortnight later, at Northampton, he took four for 36 bowling fifteen overs in this mode. At the end of the season, he saw the Club’s doctor, who advised plenty of rest during the autumn months before building up the leg with some long walks after Christmas and in the early spring. This did the trick and, restored to full fitness, he bounced back with great effect, taking 109 wickets to pass the century mark for the eighth time in his career. It was no coincidence either that Jack was able to call on the advice, in pre-season practice, of Bill Hitch, the former Surrey and England seamer and first-class umpire, who had been appointed to oversee preparation for the new season. Jack worked for many hours with Bill on his around-the- wicket style and the leg-cutter. 92 The swinging thirties The Players side which defeated the Gentlemen at The Oval by an innings in July 1934. Back row (l to r): E.J.Smith (umpire), J.Mercer, R.J.Duckfield, A.R.Gover, H.Strudwick (scorer), H.S.Squires, J.W.Lee, R.J.Gregory. Front row: J.Arnold, A.Sandham, A.S.Kennedy (capt), E.W.J.Brooks (wk), A.W.Wellard. This was Jack’s last ‘big’ representative match. 92 To help build up his strength ahead of the season, Jack was also given permission by the County Club to guest for Nelson in their Lancashire League games in mid-May on days when Glamorgan were not in Championship action. Nelson had made several approaches in the past to Jack in the hope that he would opt for Lancashire League cricket rather than county cricket. However, Jack turned them down.