William Lewis played in Glamorgan’s inaugural match in 1889 – this was the first of three appearances he made for the Welsh county, having been a prominent member of the South Wales CC with the solicitor also playing for the Welsh Wanderers, besides captaining Bridgend between 1882 and 1888, before later appearing for Penarth CC and Cardiff CC.
Educated at Charterhouse, he had represented the school at both cricket and racquets. His batting skills for the school and the Bridgend club, led to him appearing as a guest for the Newport and District XXII in their three-day match against the United England XI in September 1881. The nineteen year-old was duly caught and bowled by WG Grace in the first innings, but he subsequently went on to play with distinction for the South Wales CC, in addition to making 83 and 50 in the match between East Wales and West Wales which the South Wales CC organized in 1883 at the Arms Park.
He duly followed his father, Thomas Tamplin Lewis – the registrar of Bridgend and District Court – into the legal profession and qualified as a solicitor in 1887. Two years later he was chosen in the Glamorgan side for their inaugural match, besides appearing in August against the MCC, also at the Arms Park. He played once more for Glamorgan in 1890, again in their contest against the MCC at Swansea. He was never called up again, largely because of his solicitor’s duties and, together with his younger brother Harry – himself a talented cricketer – he played an increasingly active role in his father’s practice in Bridgend.
Like other well-heeled amateurs, he appeared quite content to play club cricket on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons and, as a member of the MCC, to appear occasionally in their friendlies, besides turning out for the Old Carthusians.
LEWIS, William Edgar.
Born – Lower Newcastle, Bridgend, 26 September, 1862.
Born – Bridgend, 26 December, 1930.
Batting and Fielding Record
| M | I | NO | RUNS | AV | 100 | 50 | CT | ST | |
| MC Friendlies | 3 | 5 | 1 | 24 | 6.00 | – | – | – | – |
Career-best performance
Minor County Friendlies – 10 v Warwickshire at Cardiff Arms Park, 1889.