Norman Hill 1935 - 2023 RIP

 

Norman Wilfred Hill

A short, stocky individual described as being ‘built like a barrel’, Norman Hill did not fit the bill as to how a first-class cricketer should look. However, in a time where Notts were struggling to challenge, Hill represented an ever-present rock of determination, with fine performances and a complete devotion to the club.

Born on 22nd August 1935 in the Notts village Holbeck of which is six miles south west of Worksop. Hill’s Notts career stretched 15 years, including two seasons as captain (1966-67). Well-known for his ability as a ferocious left-hand opening batsman, he was also a more than capable fielder once taking six catches in a match v Northants at Trent Bridge in 1958.

He joined the Notts staff in 1953 and made his first-class debut aged 17 years 316 days on 4th, 6th and 7th July 1953 scoring 10 in his sole innings in a 10-wicket victory over Derbyshire at Trent Bridge. He retained his place in the Eleven for the following match versus Northants. He had to wait until 1956 for another first-class appearance following his National Service in Army but in two appearances that summer he scored a measly eight runs. He appeared 17 first-class matches the following summer scoring 705 runs @25.17. The highlight was his maiden first-class ton (119) v Warwickshire at Trent Bridge in August, a match Notts won by 175 runs. 1958 saw Hill cement a permanent place in the side. His top score was 153 against Kent at Trent Bridge and he finished with 1,141 runs @23.77. He received his cap in 1959 after scoring centuries (101 and 102) in both innings in a seven-wicket victory over Lancashire at Trent Bridge in July 1959. He finished the season with 2,129 runs @38.70 including six tons, but sadly Notts finished bottom of the table. A broken bone in his hand meant that Hill was restricted to 18 first-class matches in 1960 but he came back strongly in 1961 with his best season scoring 2,185 runs @40.46. In the first and only championship match played at the Steetley Ground at Shireoaks, Hill scored a career best 201* versus Sussex. Hill finished top of the Notts batting averages but alas Notts gained the championship wooden spoon once again. Hill’s successful season was rewarded with an appearance for the Players versus Gentlemen at the end of season first-class fixture at Scarborough.

 In 1962 he scored over 500 more runs than any other Notts batter, enjoying a fine run of success in June, making eight scores of 50+ in ten consecutive innings. This included a remarkable pair of innings at The Saffrons in Eastbourne when after hitting 193 in the first innings, he carried his bat in the second for 23* as Notts were 57 all out.

Hill retired at the end of the 1962 season but returned mid-season in 1963, before being appointed captain in 1966. He would captain the county for just two years before handing over to Garry Sobers and calling time on his career for a second time. His final first-class game was versus Worcestershire at Trent Bridge on 14th to 16th August 1968.

In August 1965, Hill bowled an over of full tosses to Leicestershire’s Clive Inman to expediate a declaration and it went for 32 (4, 6, 6, 6, 4, 6). Inman hitting his 50 in eight minutes. Hill, a very occasional leg-spinner, took two first-class wickets in his career with a best of 1-28 versus Northants at Trent Bridge in 1959.

Retiring at the age of 32 to pursue his business career in engineering, Hill denied himself a few years with a more successful team. Extremely popular within his team and amongst the Notts members and 26th in the list of leading first-class run scorers for Notts, Hill had given his best in the most disheartening of times for the County. He was awarded a Testimonial in 1968.

Hill resided in Ravenshead for many years before emigrating to Switzerland. He passed away in 6^th May 2023 aged 87 years.

His career record for Notts is given below. His highest score in List A career was 66 versus Wiltshire in Gillette Cup tie in 1965.

 

BATTING	M		I		NO		RUNS		HS		AV’GE		CT	ST		100		50
First-Class	280		513		32		14036		201*		29.18		223	-		22		61
List A	7		7		0		165		66		23.57		2	-		-		1
BOWLING		OVERS		M		RUNS		W		AV’GE		ARPO			BPW		BB		5wI
First-Class		40		4		261		2		130.50		6.52			120.00		1-28		-
List A		-		-		-		-		-		-			-		-		-

Note the badge on the blazer behind Norman, are there actually  3 c's on it?