Lives in Cricket No 22 - Jack Mercer

63 over spell broken only by lunch. In mid-May Jack added another ‘five-for’ at The Oval, before taking eight for 37 at Lord’s for Wales against MCC and fully exploiting a stiff breeze that was blowing across the famous ground. This outstanding form led to his selection for the Players against the Gentlemen at The Oval, and on the opening day, he produced a hostile spell with the new ball, cheaply dismissing both openers. But just when it looked as if Jack might be putting down another marker for selection in the Test Trial, the weather intervened and the contest ended in a soggy draw. Jack’s quest for higher honours were dealt a further blow in the course of the next few weeks as he was handicapped by the strain in his left calf. He initially sustained the injury during the match with Lancashire at Swansea; after receiving treatment from a masseur he felt he would be fit enough to play in the following match, against Somerset at Pontypridd. But early in his new-ball spell at Ynysangharad Park, he was troubled again, and being unable to bowl at full tilt, he reverted to gentle off-cutters. Remarkably, Jack was still able to pick up five wickets as the visitors failed in their quest of scoring 156 on the final day, but the following day he saw the club’s doctor who advised a week’s rest. Jack returned to the Glamorgan line-up for the visit to Huddersfield, but after the first day’s play, Jack could have been forgiven for wishing he had remained in South Wales for further rest as the Yorkshire batsmen rattled up 387 for two, with Herbert Sutcliffe and Morris Leyland putting the visiting attack to the sword. Rain spared Glamorgan’s blushes as the next two days were washed out and the enforced rest gave Jack a little bit longer to recover from his first bowling spell for ten days. But after a long train journey to Bristol, Jack experienced more discomfort and, fearing he would further aggravate the injury, he decided to miss the game with Gloucestershire and returned to Cardiff for further treatment. It proved to be a wise decision as Gloucestershire feasted on a makeshift Glamorgan attack, declaring on 653 for six, with Wally Hammond making an unbeaten double hundred and Alf Dipper 188. Jack remained in South Wales as his colleagues headed to Trent Bridge where, without their talismanic bowler, they succumbed to an innings defeat. After further rest and massage, Jack made himself available for the match against Sussex at Swansea, but it proved to be a premature comeback as he hobbled off after twenty overs and had to see the medics again rather than travelling with his colleagues to the next match at Northampton. This second short spell of rest and treatment did the trick; Jack returned to the side at Eastbourne and subsequently experienced only minor discomfort. Indeed, it was not long before he was back on song, producing a fine six-over spell with the second new ball at Pontypridd, taking five Gloucestershire wickets at a cost of just 12 runs. He also played some robust innings; at the Arms Park against Surrey he deposited a ball from Monty Garland-Wells high over the boundary rope and onto the adjoining rugby ground. He also enjoyed himself at Worcester in early August after Swansea-by-the-sea