Full Name

John Desmond Clay

Born

October 25, 1924, West Bridgford, Nottingham

Died

February 11, 2011, Nottingham, (aged 86y 109d)

Batting Style

Right hand Bat

Education

West Bridgford School

John Clay was a solid opening batsman who played for Nottinghamshire for more than a decade and how remained connected to the county all his life. Clay's county career was delayed by the war and then national service, but in 1947 he joined the Trent Bridge Ground Staff while playing as a professional in the Bradford League. He struggled to break into a powerful Nottinghamshire batting side, but had a few chances when the big names were on Test duty. In 1951 he played 14 Championship matches when Reg Simpson was on England duty, making the first of his 11 first-class hundreds against Somerset and finishing the season with 851 runs at 44.78. For the next four seasons he was an ever present, passing 1000 runs each year even though his average did not top 30. In 1952 he made his career high of 192 against Hampshire at Trent Bridge, a seven-and-a-half innings in which he did not give a chance. He lost his place during a poor season in 1956, and apart from a return to form in 1957 when he again passed 1000 runs, he was not regarded as a regular until 1961 when he was appointed county captain. He had his best year - 1497 runs at 25.81 - but was unable to arrest the county's gradual decline and he did not play again after that year, although he continued to play for and captain the 2nd XI. He remained an active member of the county, helping raise much-needed cash, and attended matches up to his death.
Martin Williamson

John Clay Career Stats

Batting & Fielding

FormatMatInnsNORunsHSAve100s50sCtSt
FC23640017999119226.0811491640

Bowling

FormatMatBallsRunsWktsBBIBBMAveEconSR4w5w10w
FC2362231330---3.57-000

Debut/Last Matches of John Clay

FC Matches

Span
1948 - 1961

Recent Matches of John Clay