Alan Wilkins

A photograph of Alan Wilkins, taken in 1979. Image Credit – Glamorgan Cricket Archives.

Alan Wilkins was a member of the 1977 Glamorgan side that played in the Gillette Cup Final against Middlesex at Lord`s.  His lively left-arm seam bowling also played a key role in Glamorgan`s progress to their first appearance in the final of a one-day competition at Lord`s.

After some excellent performances for Cardiff CC, Alan joined the county`s full-time staff during 1977 after completing his studies at Loughborough University, and he soon proved to be a most effective and accurate change bowler, or new ball partner to the experienced  Malcolm Nash. In the quarter-final against Surrey at Sophia Gardens, the young bowler had an analysis of 12-3-33-2, dismissing Test players Graham Roope and Younis Ahmed during a controlled spell of accurate left-arm seam. He also excelled in the semi-final against Leicestershire at Swansea, with figures of 12-5-34-2, adding Brian Davison and Jack Birkenshaw to his list of victims.

1977 also proved to be his most productive season in first-class cricket for Glamorgan, with Wilkins taking 47 wickets, including five wicket hauls at Portsmouth and Worcester. In 1979 he took 6/79 against Hampshire, but he only appeared in 10 first-class matches as the Club’s management chose other bowlers and, frustrated by his lack of opportunities, Alan joined  Gloucestershire for 1980.

To his delight, Alan secured a regular first team berth and claimed career best figures of 8/57 against Lancashire at Old Trafford in 1981. Alan spent much of 1982 on the sidelines, before returning to Glamorgan during 1983. He added a further 12 first-class wickets to his tally, and then retired from county cricket and emigrated to South Africa to start a new career in broadcasting.

He returned to Wales in 1989 and became a familiar face and voice on radio and television in this country. Alan has subsequently worked for STAR Sports based in Singapore with Alan presenting and commentating on a number of sports, including cricket.

WILKINS, Alan Haydn 

Born – Rhiwbina, Cardiff, 22nd August 1953.                                

Best performances for Glamorgan:

In first-class cricket – 70 v Nottinghamshire at Worksop, 1977; 6/79 v Hampshire at Southampton, 1979.

In List A cricket –  5* and 5/17 v Worcestershire at Worcester, 1978.

 MINORUNSAV10050CTST
First-class6573225029.84219
List A65207483.699
Alan Wilkins’ career batting record for Glamorgan.
 BallsMRWAV5wI10wM
First-class7514234420413531.146
List A27245818458421.96 2– 
Alan Wilkins’ career bowling record for Glamorgan.