Profile of Closs Jones by Dr.A.K.Hignell - Hon Statistician and Historian to Glamorgan CCC

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Player:

EC Jones

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Had his career not been interrupted twice, Closs Jones might have won Test honours with England. The off-spinner, who had made his debut in 1934, hit the headlines in 1937, with five wicket hauls against Kent, Lancashire and Sussex, followed by 10/94 against the New Zealanders at Cardiff as Glamorgan defeated the tourists by 6 wickets.

 

This resulted in his selection for the Rest of the World side which played the M.C.C. in their 150th Anniversary match, as the England selectors assessed the credentials of the 25 year old. But just when he seemed poised to stake a claim for a Test place, he badly injured his shoulder and took just 14 wickets in the last two months of the season.

 

He regained his form in the Glamorgan side in 1938, and also worked hard on his batting skills, striking a career-best 132 against Cambridge University at Swansea, as well as 105* against Kent at Tonbridge in 1939. But just when he had re-established himself in the county side, his career was halted again by the Second World War. By the time the County Championship re-started in 1946, Jones had opted for a career away from professional cricket. He agreed to help the county out in 1946, but he retired midway through the summer to work at the Briton Ferry Steel Company.

 

(Article: Copyright © 2000 Dr.A.K.Hignell)