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


Player:DE Davies

Emrys Davies gave yeoman service to Glamorgan over a 30 year period from 1924 until 1954. During this time, the left-handed batsman and spin bowler established many club records, including the highest individual innings for Glamorgan with 287* against Gloucestershire at Newport in 1939.

 

Born in Carmarthenshire in 1904, Davies made his Glamorgan debut in 1924, after some excellent performances for Llanelli C.C. and the West Wales county. His early years with Glamorgan were quite modest ones, but club officials believed that Davies would make the grade, and his confidence was boosted by a maiden century against Essex in 1932. He subsequently moved up to open the batting with Arnold Dyson. Their partnership, until 1947, proved to be one of the most successful in the club's history.

 

Davies` nickname of 'The Rock' was a most fitting one, as his batting often proved to be the foundation of the Glamorgan innings. He aggregated over a thousand runs on 15 consecutive occasions from 1932 onwards, and on six occasions, he passed 1500 runs, with his most productive season being 1937 when he compiled 1954 runs. He also developed into a fine spin bowler, and acted as the perfect foil to Johnnie Clay. Indeed, in 1935 Emrys became the first Glamorgan player to achieve the `Double`, whilst in 1937 he scored a century and took a hat-trick against Leicestershire. His all-round abilities led to his inclusion in the M.C.C. party for 1939-40 tour to India. But as soon as Emrys had started to think about the prospect of playing for England, War was declared and the tour was cancelled.

 

He continued to be a most effective cricketer after the Second World War, and in 1947, at the age of 43, Emrys created a new club record with five centuries during the summer. He continued his prolific form in 1948 with 1708 runs, and 215 against Essex during a record partnership of 313 with Willie Jones. He retired from county cricket in 1954, and became one of the country`s top umpires. Davies stood in 9 Tests from 1956 until 1959, including the famous Test at Old Trafford when Jim Laker took 19 wickets for 90 runs against Australia.

 


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

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