Crickhowell Cricket Club is deeply saddened to record the recent death of one of its oldest past players.

Doug James represented the town from the late 1950s until the 1980s and captained the 1st XI for several seasons.

Primarily an off-spin bowler, Doug was also a very useful middle-order batsman, with a strong competitive instinct and real pride in both his own performance and that of his team. Like many of his era, he forged lasting friendships with opponents, though he sometimes revealed a feisty streak.

There was one memorable occasion in a midweek league match played at Abergavenny in the late 1960s when the contest became particularly heated and Doug told his opponent, Des Norton, to ‘keep your hair on, Dessie’, after he had just been controversially run out. Unfortunately, Des had gone prematurely bald and was at this time experimenting with a toupée - a hairpiece or partial wig, held on by adhesive – about which he was very sensitive. Despite wearing batting pads, the incensed Dessie ran at Doug, who promptly fled and was chased out of the Abergavenny ground and into Avenue Road. Never has Doug ever sprinted so fast. He was wise to have taken flight, for Des was a fine athlete, first choice goalkeeper for Abergavenny Thursdays for years and Abergavenny ‘Sports Superstar’ three years in a row.

Though born and raised in Abergavenny, Doug chose not to play cricket for his hometown, instead dedicating his entire career to Crickhowell, playing in the shadow of the castle ruins, where he enjoyed many happy days.

Doug was passionate about almost all sport. He played football for the old Abergavenny Amateurs FC and was a member of Monmouthshire Golf Club, Llanfoist, for decades. After retiring from cricket, he took up bowls, maintaining his competitive sporting spirit throughout his life, which later extended to being a keen cards player.

Doug passed away after a lengthy period of ill health, at the age of 91. He leaves behind his wife, Chris, described as the absolute rock of his life, a daughter, Claire, a son, Alex, and three granddaughters, Ella, Mali and Lili.

Our deepest sympathies go out to the whole of his family.