Pat Brain

Pat Brain, seen whilst umpiring a game at the Arms Park during 1939. Photo Credit – Glamorgan Cricket Archives.

Pat Brain maintained the link between Glamorgan Cricket and the Cardiff brewing dynasty after the Welsh county secured first-class status.in 1921.

He emulated the achievements of his father Sam by keeping wicket for Glamorgan during four Minor County matches in 1920 and showed himself to also be a capable lower order batsman, making 42 against Carmarthenshire at Llanelli.

Pat appeared in 4 Championship matches during 1921 – all away from home – as well as in another game during 1922, but his military duties with the Welsh Regiment and later the Territorial Army, meant that he was unable to play regularly for the Club in subsequent years, and it was not until six years later when Glamorgan visited The Parks in 1928 to play Oxford University that he appeared again behind the stumps.

Pat spent time on the Glamorgan committee and was something of a country gentleman, as a fervant supporter of the Glamorgan Hunt and owning several successful racehorses and greyhounds. He also raised his own eleven which played in friendly matches against other Welsh clubs and wandering elevens, whilst for many years he also assisted the county by arranging a scratch eleven to meet the Club as part of their pre-season preparations.

BRAIN, John Henry Patrick

Born – Cardiff, 17 March, 1896

Died – Dinas Powis, 11 December 1945

Career-bests:

In Minor County cricket – 42 v Carmarthenshire at Llanelli, 1920

In First-class cricket – 19* v Derbyshire at Chesterfield, 1921

MINORUNSAv10050ctst
Minor County Championship340133.252
Minor County Friendlies1205427.001
First-class6112869.5532
Above – J.H.P.Brain’s batting and fielding record for Glamorgan.