Even though Australia's spin stocks had been depleted by defections to World Series Cricket, Hourn was not picked for any Australian teams, the selectors preferring Tony Mann, Bruce Yardley, Jim Higgs and Peter Sleep.
Hourn took 629 wickets at an average of 19.56 in first-grade cricket for Waverley, a club record.
Hourn injured his hand early during the 1977-78 season,[5] but had a successful summer, taking more wickets than anyone else in the Sheffield Shield, 48 wickets at 20.72,[6] including figures of 4-93 against Queensland, 6-67 in another game against Queensland, 4-61 and 3-35 against WA, 7 for 71 and 5 for 42 against South Australia,[7] and 7-80 and 2-40 against Tasmania.
Ian Chappell wrote in a 1977 article about Hourn and fellow spinner Jim Higgs: "in my opinion neither of them are real cricketers.
[3] His later career was also affected by problems with his bowling rhythm which led to his chronically over-stepping the crease.