BBC Radio 7, 11 August 2010
In this episode from 1956, Hancock has aspirations to become a great
cricketer. He makes it to the dizzy heights of the local Saturday morning boys' team (a member of which is voiced by
Kenneth Williams), but ends up being knocked cold by a fast ball.
In his dream he imagines travelling up to Lord's to meet the chairman of the MCC
(Sidney James), who picks him for the first Test against Australia, in the secure knowledge that England will lose, and hence
Sidney will make a lot of money. Hancock's team-mates include Godfrey Evans, Frank Tyson and Colin Cowdrey, all of whom make
guest appearances in the episode as cricketers trying their best not to make fun of Hancock's attempts to bat and bowl.
The Test Match is described for listeners by John Arlott (also making a guest
appearance); after the Australians have made over 800 off one over from Hancock - who bowls so many no-balls that he never
manages to complete it, England's reply is a pathetic 20. Australia knock up a further hundred and then declare, setting England
approximately 840 to win. After some great batting from the team, the scene is set for a grandstand finish, with England
wanting only four to win and Hancock coming in as the last man. Eventually England win with a fast ball from Ray Lindwall
whistling to the boundary off Hancock's ear.
This episode offers numerous pleasures for listeners, not least the fact of hearing
real-life cricketers of the time making guest appearances, and John Arlott willingly delivering a parody-commentary in
his normal dulcet tones. The direcor, as with all Hancock episodes, was Dennis Main Wilson.
