Gwyn Richards, a key member of Glamorgan`s team that reached the final of the Gillette Cup during 1977, died suddenly on Saturday 14 October at the age of 71 (writes Andrew Hignell).
Gwyn played for Glamorgan from 1971 until 1979 and during 1977, the off-spinner and batter bowled several critical spells during the 60-overs competition, especially in the semi-final against Leicestershire at Swansea, where Gwyn returned the outstanding figures of 12-4-17-2. Later in the match, he also gleefully shared in a productive partnership with wicket-keeper Eifion Jones which saw Glamorgan to victory with fifteen balls to go and a place in a major one-day final at Lord’s for the first time in the Club`s history. Gwyn also bowled an excellent containing spell in the final against Middlesex, conceding just 23 runs from his 12-over allocation, in addition to taking the wicket of Graham Barlow.
He had made his first-class debut for Glamorgan during 1971 whilst still on the Lord’s groundstaff. Gwyn showed much promise as a middle-order batter and won a regular place in the Welsh county’s Championship line-up from 1976, during which he hit a maiden century against Yorkshire at Middlesbrough. It was also a performance which earned Gwyn his county cap.
At the end of his career, Gwyn was asked by Welsh rugby legend JJ Williams to manage his sports shop in Porthcawl. Gwyn became so successful that within six years of leaving county cricket, he had purchased the business, besides opening similar premises in Port Talbot and his hometown of Maesteg, specializing in the sale of sports clothing, schoolwear and personalized embroidery. In recent seasons, Gwyn also acted as Secretary of the Glamorgan Former Players Association. It was in this capacity that Gwyn was with many of his colleagues at Sophia Gardens a couple of months ago as the Club’s former stars met up to reminisce and toast their achievements
On hearing of Gwyn’s passing Hugh Morris, the Glamorgan Chief Executive said, “We are shocked and saddened by the news of Gwyn’s passing. He held a very special place in the history of Glamorgan County Cricket Club as he was in the team of 1977 that played in the Club’s first-ever one-day final against Middlesex at Lord’s. A lovely man who was a talented batter and off-spinner, Gwyn has also overseen in recent years the annual gatherings of the Glamorgan Former Players Association. We send our deepest condolences to his family and wide circle of friends at this most difficult time.”