Alan Rees

Alan Rees was one of the finest cover fielders in first-class cricket during the 1960`s, and his athletic fielding resulted in many batsmen either being caught or being run-out as they underestimated the Welshman`s prowess. His reputation as the best cover point in the county game was recognised by the England selectors in 1964 when Rees was called up to act as a substitute fielder in the Third Test against Australia at Headingley.

Rees had joined the Glamorgan staff in the mid-1950`s as a right-handed batsman and seam bowler, and he became a regular in the Glamorgan side during the late 1950`s. He won his county cap in 1963 and the following year scored 1,206 runs in first-class cricket, with centuries in consecutive matches, against Kent at Maidstone and Lancashire at Cardiff Arms Park. In 1965 Rees also achieved notoriety for being dismissed "handled the ball" in Glamorgan`s second innings against Middlesex at Lord`s.

Rees was also a talented rugby player, appearing as fly-half for Maesteg, Aberavon, Leicester and Llanelli, and in 1962 he won three Welsh caps. At the end of the 1962 season, Rees turned professional and played rugby league for Leeds R.L.F.C. Rees retired from first-class cricket in 1968, but re-appeared in Gillette Cup matches for Glamorgan in 1970 and 1971, as well as in Sunday League games in 1972.(Submitted by Andrew Hignell - June 2000)