Norman Hardy

Norman Hardy (11 March 1892 – 17 November 1923) played first-class cricket for Somerset between 1912 and 1921.^[1] He was born at Norton Malreward, Somerset and died at Fishponds, Bristol.

Hardy was a right-handed, lower order batsman and a right-arm, fast-medium bowler. He first played for Somerset in two matches within a week in 1912, but achieved little in them. In 1919, he returned to the team as a professional for four matches, during which he both made his highest first-class score and had his best bowling return. In the match against Gloucestershire at County Ground, Taunton, in which Sydney Rippon played for Somerset under a false name, Hardy made 38, batting at No 10 and adding 58 for the ninth wicket with his captain, Jack White.^[2] Against Surrey, he took four first-innings wickets for 22 runs.^[3] In his four matches in 1919, Hardy took 18 first-class wickets at an average of 13 runs per wicket to be top of the Somerset averages for the season.^[4]

Hardy played in just two matches as an amateur in 1920 and three in 1921 without making much impact. He died suddenly from heart failure while playing football, aged 31.^[5]

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