The Extra Test

Stories about Bradman and Turnbull, and memories of Majid and Maynard, bring alive the history of touring teams against Glamorgan in this episode of the Museum of Welsh Cricket podcast.

In his new book, ‘The Extra Test’, Glamorgan scorer and historian Dr Andrew Hignell celebrates a bygone era when world greats played the county in three-day games.

Many of the greatest matches took place at St Helen’s, and the stories often pay fitting tribute to the fine old Swansea venue.

Presented by Greg Lewis.

Taken from the book itself:

Matches against the touring teams from overseas were the highlight of Glamorgan County Cricket Club's fixture list.

The three day games against the international stars allowed the club's avid supporters, plus those with a more general sporting interest, a chance to watch some of the greatest names in world cricket to play on welsh soil.

The Extra Test is a celebration of bygone times in the history of the domestic game. It is also a tribute to the richly appreciated efforts of the overseas in their matches with Glamorgan. The Celtic fervour especially in the matches at St Helen's ground in Swansea, meant that there was an additional dimension to the contests between Glamorgan and the touring teams.

In the words of Richie Benaud, the great Australian captain - and later world famous broadcaster- 'this match with Glamorgan is like an extra Test in our series on tour'.

Greg Lewis of the podcast interviews Andrew Hignell, the author of the book, about his reasons for writing it and the stories it contains. Andrew has been the Glamorgan 1st XI scorer since 2004. For over 25 years he combined a career as a teacher with working on radio commentaries for BBC Radio Wales on the home and away matches of Glamorgan. In 2004 he became the Heritage and Education Co-Ordinator of Glamorgan Cricket, where he manages the Museum of Welsh Cricket at Sophia Gardens.

The book is published by Weslh Publisher Parthian and a copy can be purchased here:

https://www.parthianbooks.com/collections/new-releases/products/the-extra-test-the-story-of-glamorgan-playing-the-best-1875-2025