Lives in Cricket No 6 - Bill Copson

certainly made the very best of his opportunities on this occasion and had figures of six for 73 in the first innings and four for 19 in the second. Derbyshire had a comfortable first innings lead of 45 and, in the visitors’ second venture, caused a sudden collapse by taking four wickets in twenty nine balls, reducing the side to 20 for five. A delay of forty minutes through bad light left the match drawn with the West Indians on 54 for six, still needing a further 96 runs to win. In this match Derbyshire fielded all three of the Pope brothers, Alfred Vardy, George Henry and Harold, the last occasion on which three brothers played in the same side in English first-class cricket. Copson’s excellent bowling in this match had increased his prospect of Test Match selection considerably and it was no surprise when this was confirmed and he was duly chosen for the First Test at Lord’s due to begin on 24 June. This was a three-match series of three-day matches. The West Indians, who had been granted Test match status some eleven years previously in 1928, were captained by R.S.Grant and were at that time not the strong Test side that they became in the immediate post war years and later. The England side was a strong one, fresh from their successful tour of South Africa in the previous winter. They were captained by Walter Hammond, still very much at the height of his considerable batting powers. The remainder of the team consisted of Hutton, Gimblett, Paynter, Denis Compton, Hardstaff, Arthur Wood, Wright, Verity, Bowes and Copson. Bill was the only Test debutant. Bowes and Copson opened the England bowling when West Indies, who had won the toss, batted first. Despite rather poor light and an extremely cold wind they did not lose their second wicket until their score had reached 147. Copson took his first Test wicket when he had the West Indian captain well taken, left-handed, by Compton at forward short leg. An excellent innings by George Headley helped to raise the West Indian score to 226 for the loss of four wickets by the tea interval. Copson also dismissed K.H.Weekes, having him caught by Gimblett. After the tea interval, Copson had immediate success when the new ball was taken when George Headley was caught at the wicket for 106. He had played a careful and most watchful innings in which he was not prepared to take any risks, but displayed a good array of his exceptional powers. Bill also took the wickets of Constantine and Martindale, both leg before wicket and finished with the highly satisfactory Test Cricket, At Last 51