Tony Cordle was Glamorgan`s first overseas-born fast bowler with the West Indian being the spearhead of the Welsh county`s attack which secured the Championship title during 1969. Amongst many fine spells that season, was a remarkable game at Colwyn Bay when Tony recorded a career-best 9/49 against Leicestershire at the Rhos-on-Sea ground, but only after coming on as seventh change!

Tony had followed his brother Steve in emigrating from Barbados to the United Kingdom during the early 1960`s. He worked briefly with London Transport, before moving to join Steve in Cardiff. A few days later he went to the Labour Exchange in Westgate Street having been offered a job with British Railways. When he looked across to the Arms Park cricket ground and saw the ground, it brought fond memories of playing club cricket in the Caribbean. As a result, Tony decided to join Cardiff CC, little realizing that it was a decision which would transform his life.

After some hostile spells for the Cardiff club, Tony made his debut that summer for the Glamorgan 2^nd XI before joining the county’s staff the following season. In 1963 he made his first-class debut against Cambridge University and by 1967 Tony had won a regular place in the county side alongside Malcolm Nash, Jeff Jones  and Ossie Wheatley, and deservedly won his county cap after taking 74 wickets at 21 apiece.

During the 1970`s Tony developed into a fine all-rounder in limited overs cricket, making useful contributions with both bat and ball. In 1979 took a hat-trick in the Sunday League match against Hampshire at Portsmouth, whilst in 1974 Tony shared a record partnership of 87 for the ninth wicket with Malcolm Nash against Lincolnshire in the Gillette Cup match at Swansea.

Cordle was the Glamorgan Beneficiary in 1977 as the Club ended a long barren spell by reaching the final of the Gillette Cup. He retired in 1980, and subsequently acted as the county`s coach until 1983, when he emigrated to Canada, where he has continued to coach both junior and national teams.

CORDLE, Elton Anthony

Born – Bridgetown, Barbados, 21^st September 1940.

Best performances for Glamorgan:

In first-class cricket – 81 v Cambridge University at Margam, 1972; 9/49 v Leicestershire at Colwyn Bay, 1969.

In List A cricket – 87 v Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge, 1971; 5/24 v Hampshire at Portsmouth, 1979.

	M	I	NO	RUNS	AV	100	50	CT	ST
First-class	312	433	76	5239	14.67	–	9	141	–
List A	211	158	37	1627	13.44	–	2	62	–

	Balls	M	R	W	AV	5wI	10wM
First-class	42083	163	19281	701	27.50	19	2
List A	9462	216	5870	221	26.56	2	–