Lives in Cricket No 22 - Jack Mercer

26 enjoyed a torrid time in the County Championship, but their officials were ambitious and the letter from Mercer – supported by a warm testimonial from the Sussex coaching staff – brought smiles to their faces and a meeting was soon arranged. Jack duly agreed terms with Glamorgan, although the regulations meant that he would have to serve a two-year period qualifying by residence for the Welsh county. The rules left him free to play in friendly matches, but it would not be until August 1923 that Jack would be able to appear in Championship matches. He was one of four signings made by Glamorgan in 1921, with agreements also being reached with Surrey’s Tommy Abel and Dan Sullivan, plus Frank Ryan, the former Hampshire left-arm spinner. The circumstances leading up to the acquisition of the last player were in direct contrast to Jack, with the spinner arriving in South Wales almost destitute after hitch- hiking his way to Cardiff, having fallen out with Hampshire. In fact he was in such a dishevelled state at the Arms Park that his friend Jack Nash, the Cardiff groundsman and Glamorgan bowler, did not immediately recognise him. After a good bath in the Cardiff changing-rooms and a hearty meal, Nash sent his friend on his way to Swansea where Glamorgan were playing, and after a chat with the county’s officials, Ryan agreed terms. Despite his reputation for ready temper and drinking excess, Ryan was a valuable acquisition for Glamorgan who, like Jack, looked forward to a better season in 1922. Debut for Sussex