Allan Jones was a tall and lively fast-medium seam bowler who played for four counties – Sussex, Somerset, Middlesex and Glamorgan – at a time when few appeared for more than two counties. He was amongst the first to play for four counties, although it might have remained just two had Middlesex captain Mike Brearley not insisted that his county sign the seamer on hearing that he was being released by Somerset at the end of the 1975 season and was on the verge of emigrating to New Zealand.
His career had begun with Sussex in 1966 where he earned a reputation as a waspish new ball bowler, capable of hostile spells from his high action. His batting and fielding were less effective, and as a result, A.A. was often overlooked by the Sussex selectors, and in 1970 he joined Somerset in search of more regular first team cricket. As if to prove a point to his former employers, he then took a career best 9-51 against Sussex at Hove in 1972.
Jones then joined Middlesex in 1976 and under Mike Brearley, the astute, and very wise, captain of Middlesex, he enjoyed his most productive seasons in county cricket. He formed a highly potent new ball pairing with Mike Selvey, and their efforts were handsomely rewarded as Middlesex became County Champions.
After recovering from a back injury, Jones moved to Glamorgan in 1980 and spent two years with the Welsh county where he was especially effective in one-day games, before retiring at the end of 1981. After a year on the reserve list, he joined the umpires list in 1985 and by the time of his retirement in 2008 Allan had stood in 363 first-class matches, 373 List A games and 37 T20 contests.
JONES, Allan Arthur
Born – Horley, Surrey, 9th February 1947.
Best performances for Glamorgan:
In first-class cricket – 12 v Sussex at Swansea, 1980; 5/51 v Warwickshire at Sophia Gardens, 1980.
In List A cricket – 14 v Essex at Chelmsford, 1980; 4/32 v Lancashire at Old Trafford, 1980.
| M | I | NO | RUNS | AV | 100 | 50 | CT | ST | |
| First-class | 19 | 17 | 5 | 64 | 5.33 | – | – | 5 | – |
| List A | 19 | 6 | 4 | 30 | 15.00 | – | – | 2 | – |
| Balls | M | R | W | AV | 5wI | 10wM | |
| First-class | 3084 | 90 | 1841 | 49 | 37.57 | 1 | – |
| List A | 869 | 15 | 687 | 29 | 23.68 | – | – |