Alan Jones, a Welsh cricketer born on November 4, 1938, is widely regarded as one of Glamorgan County Cricket Club's greatest players. His remarkable career spanned almost a quarter of a century, from 1957 to 1983, during which he established himself as a consistent and reliable left-handed opening batsman.
Alan Jones Biography
Jones' impressive statistics speak volumes about his skill and longevity in the game. He scored over 36,000 runs in first-class cricket, making him the highest run-scorer among players who never officially played in a Test match. His consistency was extraordinary, as he scored 1,000 runs or more in every English cricket season from 1961 to 1983.
Throughout his career, Jones set numerous records for Glamorgan:
- He holds the record for the most runs scored in all forms of the game for the Welsh county, with over 40,000 runs.
- His tally of 34,056 first-class runs for Glamorgan remains unmatched.
- Jones scored 56 centuries in first-class cricket, a record surpassed only by John Langridge among non-Test players.
Jones was a key player in Glamorgan's success, playing a crucial role in their County Championship victory in 1969. He also captained the team in 1977 and 1978, leading them to their first List A final in the Gillette Cup in 1977.
Despite his prolific domestic career, Jones' international recognition was limited and controversial. He was selected to play for England against the Rest of the World XI in 1970, but the match was later stripped of its Test status. This decision meant that Jones technically never played an official Test match, despite having been awarded an England cap.
In a heartwarming turn of events, on June 9, 2020, exactly 50 years after his sole appearance for England, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) officially recognized Jones as an England Test cricketer. He was awarded cap number 696, finally acknowledging his contribution to English cricket.
After retiring as a player, Jones continued to contribute to Glamorgan cricket. He served as the county's coach and director of coaching until 1998, mentoring future England players such as Steve James, Robert Croft, and Simon Jones. His dedication to the sport and Glamorgan was further recognized when he served as the club's president from 2016 to 2019.
Alan Jones Summary
Alan Jones' career is a testament to his skill, consistency, and dedication to cricket. His legacy as a Glamorgan legend and his belated recognition as an England player highlight both his exceptional talent and the sometimes complex nature of cricket history.
