Unforgettable Cricket Moments: Olly Hannon-Dalby
Every cricketer has defining moments; performances that showcase resilience, skill, and determination. Olly Hannon-Dalby has had his fair share, from match-winning spells of bowling to heroic stints at the crease. Here are three of his most unforgettable cricketing moments…
1. Batting for 78 Minutes with a broken arm
Olly has built a reputation for enduring excellence with the ball but one of the most incredible moments of his career came with bat in hand. In only his second appearance for Warwickshire, in the County Championship against Somerset at Taunton, Halifax’s finest found himself last man in (not unusual) and having to bat through intense pressure for over an hour to save the match (quite unusual) with a broken arm (very unusual!).
"I didn't smash it, but I think the club thought, 'he might have a bit about him because he stuck it out with one arm.’"
Olly’s gritty determination in alliance with Rikki Clarke that famous day helped his team to a battling draw and earned him immense respect and went a long way to earning him a future at Edgbaston.
2. Taking the first wicket of Warwickshire’s ‘Great Escape.’
On the final day of the 2022 season, Warwickshire needed to bowl out Hampshire for fewer than 139 to stay in the top division. Every moment mattered - and Olly took the vital first wicket, a crucial breakthrough which opened the door through which Liam Norwell charged to take the other nine.
Six years earlier, against Durham at Edgbaston, OHD had taken the first wicket before Chris Woakes took the next nine.
"I got the first wicket in both innings. Ergo, those two lovely men stole the ten-for off me."
3. The Ultimate Blockathon – 66 balls Without scoring
Olly, who arguably has the most elegant leave in the history of cricket, has frustrated plenty of bowlers with his batting resilience. Against Surrey at Edgbaston in 2022, he took 66 balls to get off the mark, helping Michael Burgess to his century - and then on to the little matter of 178 - in the process.
"I do obsess over my batting. The coaches indulge my batting fetish."
His ability to dig in and frustrate the opposition has made him a cult hero among fans.
You can subscribe to Reports From Arbroath:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
RSS
