Talk:Malcolm Hilton

There were five Tests against South Africa in 1951. The Headingley Test was the Fourth, but not the final one. Perhaps there has been a typo since the same three words occur in two succeeding paragraphs. Delahays (talk) 00:51, 10 October 2014 (UTC)

I think I have waited long enough for someone to take note of the observation above. I saw Malcom Hilton dismiss Bradman for the second time at Old Trafford in May 1948, having landed him on his backside - a piece of luck, admittedly - stumped by Eric Edrich. Thus fortified, I shall edit myself.Delahays (talk) 10:28, 22 August 2015 (UTC)

Two final points - I think the confusion over whether or not the Headingley Test of 1951 was the final test of that series (which it wasn't) arose because in the previous year against the West Indies, the final Test at the Oval, in which Hilton also played, had been the fourth of the series. If there was a confusion about Hilton's role in the Lancashire side, it started earlier than suggested. The opening fast medium bowler Dick Pollard retired to all intents and purposes during the 1950 season, and in that season, and later, Hilton, on grounds of accuracy, often opened the bowling with the young Statham. Berry, who was slower through the air than Hilton, was regarded as the better flight bowler of the two. When, in the fifties, Lancashire played Surrey sides fielding GAR Lock, it was clear that Lock's pace through the air enabled him to bowl a more attacking length than could Hilton, and consequently use a wearing pitch more effectively. But Hilton's wicketless bowling in his Oval Test against the West Indies was on a good batting pitch (which was breaking up by the fourth day) against the best batting side in the world at the time, and his economy was bettered only by Bedser. The West Indies wickets (in their only innings) falling to spin were taken by Wright and Brown, both right-arm leg-spinners. Delahays (talk) 10:56, 22 August 2015 (UTC)