South Wales

On several occasions from the 1890s until the Great War, Glamorgan joined forces with Monmouthshire to play as a South Wales side against touring teams as well as some of the stronger English counties such as Yorkshire.

The image opposite shows the South Wales side, captained by Glamorgan’s Jack Brain (sat in the middle of the front row), which met the 1905 Australians at Cardiff Arms Park.

The South Wales team which met the 1905 Australians at the Arms Park, captained by Jack Brain (sat centre). Credit – Glamorgan Cricket Archives.

Over the winter of 1904/05, Glamorgan had made a bid to host an England – Australia Test Match at Cardiff. Their application to the MCC failed by just one vote and, as a consolation, they were awarded a three-day match in the Welsh capital city during August against the touring team.

As seen on the image, the game attracted a bumper crowd to the Arms Park, with each day around 10,000 people watching the game. The image below shows the opening batsmen from the South Wales side walking out to the middle, whilst in the background is the grandstand of the famous rugby ground.

Herbie Morgan and Jack Brain walking out to open the batting for South Wales against the 1905 Australians at the Arms Park. Credit – Glamorgan Cricket Archives.