One of the earliest Welsh-born cricket professionals, Joe Lovering played for Glamorganshire between 1863 and 1871. In September 1866, the right-handed batter and fast round-arm bowler also had the distinction of bowling WG Grace in the match between a Monmouth and District XI, and the West Gloucestershire club. But his finest bowling feat came during August 1869 when, playing for the Cadoxton CC, he took 15 wickets in the match against the MCC at Lord’s, with 14 of his 15 wickets being clean-bowled.
Born in Neath in 1837, Joe was involved in matches at The Gnoll from his early teens and having shown prowess as a round-arm bowler, JTD Llewelyn helped Joe secure a position as a junior professional at Christ College Oxford, and later Eton, where he also worked as a house painter. Joe made his Glamorganshire debut on 7 September 1863 against Carmarthenshire but it was not until July 1866 that he had an opportunity to display his bowling talents as he claimed ten wickets for the Swansea and District XXII during their exhibition game against the United England Eleven at Brunswick Field.
Joe built on this progress at county level and for Cadoxton CC, by taking six wickets for South Wales against North Wales at Wrexham in July 1867 before claiming ten wickets in the match which Rev CP Wood’s XI staged against Gloucester CC. He also took 5/26 against Breconshire at The Gnoll in July 1868 as well as six wickets for the Players of South Wakes against the Gentlemen.
1869 was Joe’s annus mirabilis at county, starting with a return of 11/37 for Glamorganshire against a Colts XXII at Neath on 12 and 13 May, before taking 5/23 against Breconshire the following month. Later that week Joe claimed twelve wickets in the match against Radnorshire at Llandrindod Wells before claiming thirteen in the game with Breconshire at The Gnoll.
On 6 and 7 August, Joe returned figures of 8/33 and 5/47 for the Players against the Gentlemen at Neath, before ten days later travelling to London with the Cadoxton club for their game at Lord’s against the MCC. It proved to be the greatest moment of his playing career as he took fifteen wickets in the match.
LOVERING, Joseph
Born – Ty’n-yr-heol, Neath, July 1837.
Died – Neath, 6 June 1887.