Brian Edrich was a member of the famous cricketing clan from Norfolk who could raise a family XI of both genders and take on all who dare challenge them! The youngest of four sons born to Mr. Edrich senior, he matched his elder brothers for ability and enthusiasm, but he failed to win international honours. Nevertheless, Brian enjoyed a three-year career with Glamorgan during the mid-1950s having previously played for Kent either side of the Second World War.
During his time with Kent, Brian had played some useful innings against Glamorgan, and with a shoulder injury preventing him from bowling, he was not offered a new contract at the end of the 1953 season. Emrys Davies coming towards the end of his career, the Welsh county were looking to recruit an experienced batsman so after a discussion with Wilf Wooller, Brian agreed terms with Glamorgan.
He recorded a trio of fifties during his first summer in Wales and impressed Wilf at being a good judge of an opposing batsman and someone who could swiftly assess their strengths and weaknesses. It was these talents that subsequently led to the start of the second phase of Brian’s career with Glamorgan and followed a couple of barren summers with the bat during 1955 and 1956.
The sudden and tragic death of George Lavis in July 1956 had left a vacancy in the coaching staff so Brian became Phil Clift’s assistant. He remained in this capacity until 1963 when he took up a coaching post at St. Edward’s School, Oxford. This gave him an opportunity to also play Minor County cricket for Oxfordshire from 1966 until 1971.
EDRICH, Brian Robert
Born – Cantley, Norfolk, 18th August 1922.
Died – Padstow, Cornwall, 31st May 2009.
Best performance for Glamorgan:
In first-class cricket – 74 v Leicestershire at Swansea, 1954.
| M | I | NO | RUNS | AV | 100 | 50 | CT | ST | |
| First-class | 52 | 80 | 8 | 1246 | 17.30 | – | 3 | 34 | – |
| Balls | M | R | W | AV | 5wI | 10wM | |
| First-class | 48 | 3 | 12 | 0 | – | – | – |