LONDON, (Reuters) – It was a long wait but former Glamorgan batsman Alan Jones has finally got his hands on an England cap, 50 years to the day after his sole appearance.
Jones, now 81, appeared for England against the Rest of the World XI in 1970, but the fixture’s status as an official test match was subsequently downgraded by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
A virtual ceremony was held yesterday featuring ECB chairman Colin Graves, current England skipper Joe Root and former England captain Tony Lewis, Jones’s county team mate.
“Alan’s achievements on and off the cricket field are something to be celebrated, so I’m delighted that we can mark the 50th anniversary of his England appearance in this way,” Graves said in a statement.
“While the record books may not show Alan as a capped international cricketer, the ECB wanted to recognise his England appearance and celebrate his remarkable career as a player, coach and administrator by awarding him England cap number 696.”