Arthur Fagg was one of the brightest County players during the 1930s. He scored 27921 first class runs primarily for Kent with 58 centuries. Unfortunately, he could not have a flourishing international career with England as he played only 5 test matches. The main reason for his unfulfilled international career was illness. He was part of the 1936 England squad for the Ashes tour but had to return midway due to his rheumatic fever. He did not only miss the tour for the illness, he also had to miss the entire 1937 season recovering. He was never the same player but still scored lots of runs in domestic cricket. 1938 was specifically successful and during that year Fagg recorded an achievement which remained unmatched for 80 years.
It was July 1938, Kent was scheduled to play with Essex and Fagg was in great form and already scored 4 hundreds in the season. But what he did in this match that took him to a different plane. Batting first Kent recorded 495 runs in day one. Fagg was the main star as his aggressive batting fetched him a double century and he scored 244 in less than five hours including a century before the lunch.
Some late order fight helped Essex to score 350 in their first innings. Kent wanted to score quick runs for a possible declaration. Fagg was at it again, he reached his fifty in 35 minutes and then went back to the Dressing room with a hundred which came in 69 minutes.
On 15th July, 1938, the third day of the match saw Fagg continued in his merry way. With quick run being the need of the hour, Fagg and his opening partner kept playing shots. Fagg was the more aggressive one and soon crossed 150. Finally, Fagg did the unthinkable. He reached his second double century of the match. It was a great achievement and till now the only time when a batsman was able to score two double centuries in a first class match. Although Kent declared soon after the match was finally draw due to rain.
Arthur Fagg put his name in the record books with the pair of brilliant knocks. This also made him a favourite among the trivia hunters. Earlier this year, Sri Lankan batsman Angelo Perera scored two double centuries for Nondescripts Cricket Club and became the second player to achieve this feat.
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