Ivor Hale

Ivor Edward Hale (6 October 1922 – 6 October 2010) was an English cricketer. Hale was a right-handed batsman who bowled right-arm off break. He was born at Worcester, Worcestershire, and was educated at Royal Grammar School Worcester.

Aged thirteen, Hale was given a trial at Lancashire's Old Trafford ground in 1936. Cec Parkin praised Hale following the schoolboys trial, stating "there can never have been a boy cricketer like him at his age". He also explained that Hale could spin the ball both ways and had the ability to bowl a googly.[1]

Following World War II, Hale made his first-class debut for Sussex against Oxford University in 1946 at Priory Park, Chichester. He made two further first-class appearances for Sussex in that season, against Warwickshire and Surrey, both in the County Championship.[2] He left Sussex at the end of that season and proceeded to join Gloucestershire, making his first-class debut for the county against the Combined Services in 1947. The following season, he made twelve first-class appearances, featuring against the touring Australians and making several appearances in the County Championship. His final first-class appearance that season came against the Combined Services.[2] In his thirteen first-class appearances for Gloucestershire, he scored 287 runs at an average of 14.35, with a high score of 61.[3] This score was his only half century and came against Cambridge University.[4]

He died at Malvern, Worcestershire, on 6 October 2010, his 88th birthday.