English cricketer
James Edward McConnon (21 June 1922 – 26 January 2003) was an English cricketer, who played in two Tests in 1954 as an off-spin bowler. He played for Glamorgan from 1950 to 1961, albeit missing the 1956 season when he decided to play for Burnley in the Lancashire League. His 819 first-class wickets cost less than 20 runs each.
Life and career
Jim McConnon was born in Burnopfield, County Durham.[1] His was a late conversion to cricket, having played football for Aston Villa and Newport County. A knee injury resulted in McConnon switching sports and, for a short time, his lovely bowling action utilising long spinner's fingers threatened Jim Laker's role in the England team.[1]
He made his first-class debut for Glamorgan against Surrey at the start of the 1950 season, in the same match as Don Shepherd. He claimed 100 wickets in a season three times, with 136 at 16.07 in 1951 being his best. Against the South African tourists in that year he took 6 for 27 including a hat-trick, helping Glamorgan to an unlikely victory.
McConnon's selection for the Ashes tour of 1954-55 was controversial in that it meant that Laker was not taken.[2] As it was McConnon broke a finger during the tour, and he returned home early.[1]
His season as a professional in the Lancashire League was successful: he topped the League bowling averages with 52 wickets at 6.8,[3] and Burnley won the championship.[4] After he left first-class cricket he played a few seasons of Minor Counties cricket for Cheshire.
McConnon and his wife Pauline had three children, Michael, Catherine and Christopher.[5]
McConnon died in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, at the age of 80.
