While practicing in the cricket nets at the Cunliffe-Owen Aircraft factory in March 1947, in order to maintain his fitness for football,[2] he was spotted by Hampshire coach Sam Staples and their captain and secretary Desmond Eagar, who recommended him for a trial at the County Ground.

His misfortune continued on the second day of his trial, when he was asked to assist groundsman Ernie Knights, having been struck on the ankle by a shot from Johnny Arnold, only to kick a bucket of whiting all over the square.

[3] Burden would eventually turn to off spin bowling following a discussion with Staples successor, Arthur Holt, about Hampshire's lack of a spin-bowler following a number of retirements.

[4] The following season, he played an important role in helping Hampshire win their first County Championship title, taking exactly fifty wickets at an average of 22.92;[6] these included his career best bowling figures of 8 for 38 against Somerset at Bournemouth.

"[1] Tony Lewis said of him that "his humour was never extinguished by failure" and noted that John Arlott called Burden "salt of the cricketing earth".