Harry Tapping

Harry Tapping was a slow left-armer who played eight times for Auckland between 1950-51 and 1952-53, with his best return coming against Otago in 1951-52 when he took 4 for 21 in a six-wicket win (bowling in tandem with Jim Laker). Tapping was dropped for the last two games of the season which disappointed Laker who wrote Tapping "bowled better on the tour than he has ever bowled and that he will further improve". Those views were echoed by Auckland coach and former England test player Joe Hardstaff who wrote in 1950: "It always give me a sense of frustration and almost a feeling of anger when I see young players of Harry Tapping's ability and their inability to show it to best advantage. He studies the game and makes it part of his life. That, coupled with his obvious ability arouses in me the same feeling I experienced when I first saw Denis Compton bat. I said to myself 'Here is a good one'." Against MCC in 1950-51 he was Auckland's 12th man and won the fielding prize at the recommendation of Denis Compton. He was an ever-present in the Poverty Bay side for a decade after the war.
Martin Williamson