Tony Cordle

Tony Cordle was Glamorgan`s first overseas fast bowler and the West Indian was a key member of the county`s attack which won the Championship in 1969. Amongst many fine spells that season, Cordle recorded a career-best 9 for 49 against Leicestershire at Colwyn Bay, coming on as seventh change!

Cordle emigrated from Barbados to the UK in the early 1960`s to work initially for London Transport, before moving to join his brother and sister in Cardiff. One day when visiting the Labour Exchange in Westgate Street, he looked down on the Arms Park ground, and with fond memories of playing cricket back home, Cordle decided to join Cardiff CC.

After some hostile spells for the Cardiff club, Cordle made his debut in 1962 for the county 2nd XI, and joined Glamorgan`s staff the following season. In 1963 he made his first-class debut against Cambridge University and by 1967 he had won a regular place in the county side and won his county cap after taking 74 wickets at 21 apiece. During the 1970s he developed into a fine allrounder in limited-overs cricket. In 1974 he shared a record partnership of 87 for the ninth wicket with Malcolm Nash against Lincolnshire in the Gillette Cup match at Swansea, and in 1979 Cordle took a hat-trick in the Sunday League against Hampshire at Portsmouth.

Cordle took a benefit in 1977, and retired from the first-class game in 1980. He subsequently acted as the county`s coach until 1983, before emigrating to Canada, where he has continued to coach both junior and national teams.
Andrew Hignell