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Roy Swetman - 1933-2023

23 July 2023

Gloucestershire Cricket are saddened to learn of the passing of former player, Roy Swetman, who has died at the age of 89.

Swetman, who was a right-handed wicket-keeper batter, represented the County for three seasons after coming out of retirement ahead of the 1972 season. He would eventually hang-up his gloves for the final time at the conclusion of the 1974 campaign. Most significantly, Swetman would feature in the 1973 Gillette Cup side three times, competing in victories over Glamorgan, Surrey and Essex, a campaign which would eventually see Gloucestershire raise the trophy that year.

Swetman’s final appearance for the Club came at Swansea in June 1974 during an innings victory over Glamorgan. During the match he claimed 5 catches behind the stumps and left the field with a red inker to his name during the visitors only innings.

Picture: Swetman pictured far left during the recent Former Players Day at the Seat Unique Stadium in June.

Born in Westminster in 1933, Swetman represented Surrey, Nottinghamshire and Gloucestershire over a career that spanned 21 years, appearing in 286 first-class matches and 51 List A games. He would also receive international honours during his career, making 11 test match appearances between 1958-1960.

Martin Williamson of ESPN CricInfo describes Swetmen as; “a compact and efficient wicketkeeper and a useful lower middle-order batsman whose career included spells at three counties, but mainly with Surrey.

“He made his first-class debut while on National Service, and his arrival at The Oval prompted Arthur McIntyre to retire early.

“He was picked for two tours - Australia and New Zealand in 1958-59 and the Caribbean the following winter. He kept competently in 11 Tests on those two trips and against India in the intervening summer, but it was a period when England were blessed with an abundance of good wicketkeepers and his chances were limited.

“He retired, aged 28, at the end of 1961, but returned to play two seasons with Nottinghamshire in 1966 and 1967. He again came out of retirement in 1972 for three summers with Gloucestershire.”

Everyone connected with Gloucestershire County Cricket Club would like to send our sincere condolences to the Swetman family during this difficult time.

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