Lives in Cricket No 8 - Ernest Hayes

than ordinary interest. He yesterday hit seven fours, a three and three twos. The Times gave his innings almost two hundred words, said his innings lasted 150 minutes and he ‘secured general admiration’ from a crowd of 14,000. Hayes mentions in the scrapbook that, after this significant innings, he was sought after by the media for interviews and journalists took the opportunity to comment not only on his batting ability, but also his character and personality. He notes one, for example: ‘Personally, Hayes is described as being, like most true sportsmen, a delightful fellow, genial and unassuming with a keen interest in all things affecting the game of which he is already a master.’ Just as any Australian batsman who began his year with some promise in the second half of the twentieth century could be guaranteed that somewhere in the media he would be dubbed a ‘new Bradman’, so – albeit in a lower key – Hayes was compared to quality contemporary or recently retired players, ‘another rising Holland and Hayward’ said one and according to Charles Alcock in his official club history, ‘a not unworthy successor of Maurice Read.’ However, the ‘more than ordinary interest’ with which the Standard predicted his next few innings would be watched was to be rewarded only with disappointment. After the Australia match, he was selected for Surrey’s four remaining Championship matches. A battling 38, against Lancashire on a sticky wicket, was followed by five innings in which double figures were reached on just one occasion when his 29 not out against Somerset was the highest score in the innings. After his promising start, the youngster was in the process of adjusting to the higher standards demanded by the first-class game, though in mitigation, it may be said that all these matches were on sticky wickets. So were many of his matches for Honor Oak, but professional bowlers were able to exploit such conditions in a way that the usually less talented amateurs were not. It was doubtless some consolation to Hayes, however, that, during this rough patch with the bat, he took his first first-class wicket, that of L.C.H.Palairet of Somerset whom he clean bowled in the one over he was allowed. Wisden was suitably impressed with the newcomer: ‘Late in the season a place was found for Hayes, and of this young batsman, who had been doing big things for the second eleven, a great deal 20 Surrey Pro