Cricket Witness No 3 - The Daffodil Blooms

33 The tricky question of the captaincy stake a claim to host international matches. For some of the Glamorgan committee, the affairs of the Wales team were a distraction, and whilst there may have been divided opinions about their motives, there was unanimity within official ranks that the immediate concern was to solve the issue of the captaincy ahead of the 1929 season. None of the amateurs could commit to a full season, but Johnnie and Norman agreed to share the duties, with the latter probably throwing his hat into the ring to dispel growing rumours that he did not have Glamorgan’s best interest at heart. Nevertheless, there were still times when neither Johnnie or Norman could appear, and during the season, the selection committee yet again had to scour around to see who fancied a game as Glamorgan captain. In all, seven other amateurs led the side during 1929, including Welsh rugby international Guy Morgan, but things reached a nadir in early July when Niel Morgan, the captain of Cardiff C.C. and a member of the family who owned the city’s famous department store, agreed to take time off to lead the county side during their visit to the East Midlands, firstly at Trent Bridge against Nottinghamshire and then in the match with Leicestershire at Loughborough. The all-rounder had only played for Glamorgan twice before and, on each occasion, against student opposition. Yet despite having never played before in a Championship match, Niel duly travelled up to Nottingham after work on the Tuesday evening and joined up with the rest of the Glamorgan party after their innings defeat against Warwickshire at Edgbaston. The following morning he led out the side from the Trent Bridge pavilion besides sharing the new ball with Jack Mercer. But having bowled half a dozen overs, Niel pulled a hamstring and limped off the field leaving Eddie Bates in charge for the rest of the game. Things did not get any better as Nottinghamshire rattled up 512-6, before Harold Larwood scythed through the dispirited Glamorgan batting, as the home side cruised to an innings victory. With Guy Morgan having to return home, Trevor returned as captain for the match at Loughborough, and with morale at rock bottom, Glamorgan went down to yet another innings defeat, after Leicestershire had mustered a mere 223. The Welsh county were clearly in danger of becoming the laughing stock of the county game and it was no surprise that some had called for Glamorgan to return to the second-class ranks. One correspondent had