John Edward Halford "Hal" Hooker (6 March 1898 – 12 February 1982) was an Australian first class cricketer who played for New South Wales. A tall fast-medium bowler, he stood at 6 ft and was capable of swinging the ball both ways.

Hal Hooker
Hooker on a 1928 cigarette card
Personal information
Full name
John Edward Halford Hooker
Born(1898-03-06)6 March 1898
Summer Hill, Queensland, Australia
Died12 February 1982(1982-02-12) (aged 83)
Winmalee, New South Wales, Australia
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm fast medium
RoleBowler
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1924/25–1931/32New South Wales
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 23
Runs scored 421
Batting average 20.04
100s/50s 0/3
Top score 62
Balls bowled 5,857
Wickets 87
Bowling average 28.50
5 wickets in innings 4
10 wickets in match 1
Best bowling 6/42
Catches/stumpings 12/–
Source: CricketArchive, 8 January 2008

In 1928/29 he became the first player to take four wickets in successive balls in a Sheffield Shield match.

He is the holder of the world record 10th wicket stand in first class cricket, making 307 with Alan Kippax.[1] Coming in at number 11, Hooker batted for almost five hours and made 62.

After retiring from cricket Hooker became a sports broadcaster. In 1946, he was reporting for the BBC Light Programme on the 1946–47 Ashes series.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "The ton quartet". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  2. ^ "December 14, 7.0 a.m. Second Test Match at Sydney Cricket Ground", Radio Times: 31, 6 December 1946, A ball-by-ball commentary, during the last hour of play, by former New South Wales cricketers Hal Hooker and Alan McGilvray.
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