Colin Matthews was a talented left-arm medium pace bowler and right-hand bat who returned some remarkable figures for Firbeck Colliery, including 10 for 2 and 8 for 11. Born 17 October 1931, in Worksop, he came for a trial at Trent Bridge in 1949 and was engaged by the County Club for 1950, his first-class debut being that season on 10 June against Hampshire. He played in 14 matches for the county in 1952 and 19 in 1954, when he took 34 wickets. Matthews then left for National Service and represented the Combined Services in one first-class game in 1955. He returned to Trent Bridge for the 1957 season when he again played regularly in the First Eleven. In 1958 he missed many matches, but the following summer turned out 11 times and took 30 wickets.

In 84 first-class games for Notts, Matthews scored 474 runs @7.18 with a top score of 41.v Yorkshire at Trent Bridge in 1954. He took 147 wickets @36.71 and four times took five wickets in an innings with best figures of 6-65 v Derbyshire at Ilkeston 1955.

Colin Matthews died after a long illness in 15 March 1990 in Worksop.

April 2020

Nottinghamshire First-Class Number: 389

See Colin Matthews's career stats here