Lawrence Williams

Lawrence Williams, Glamorgan`s fast medium bowler from Tonna, still holds the record for the most number of wickets in a Sunday League season. In 1971 he took 33 wickets and returned several excellent spells, including 4/21 against Leicestershire at Neath and 5/31 against Surrey at Byfleet.

He graduated from club cricket straight into Glamorgan`s side in their Championship winning season of 1969, and finished the season with a highly creditable 56 wickets. Williams took over 50 first-class wickets every summer from 1969 until 1974, and proved to be a most effective foil to Malcolm Nash or Tony Cordle with the new ball. His most productive season was 1970, when he took 61 first-class wickets, although his best Championship performance came in 1973 when he returned match figures of 11/120 against Kent at Swansea. Williams struggled with injury in 1975, and made just three appearances in first-class games. He also lost form in 1976, but even so, he was still quite surprised to receive a letter from the Glamorgan committee midway through the summer, warning him about his performance. Several players received similar letters, and like Williams, they too were shocked at this quite abrupt treatment. Williams decided to quit Glamorgan at the end of what had been a very troubled season, and had there not been so much unhappiness off the field, Williams would have had a longer career in county cricket. (Submitted by Andrew Hignell - April 2000)