Roy Swetman (25 October 1933 – 21 July 2023) was an English cricketer, who played in eleven Tests as a wicket-keeper from 1959 to 1960.

Roy Swetman
Personal information
Full name
Roy Swetman
Born(1933-10-25)25 October 1933
Westminster, London, England
Died21 July 2023(2023-07-21) (aged 89)
Bristol, England
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm offbreak
RoleWicket-keeper
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 391)9 January 1959 v Australia
Last Test9 March 1960 v West Indies
Career statistics
Competition Tests First-class
Matches 11 286
Runs scored 254 6,495
Batting average 16.93 19.21
100s/50s –/1 2/22
Top score 65 115
Balls bowled 90
Wickets 1
Bowling average 69.00
5 wickets in innings
10 wickets in match
Best bowling 1/10
Catches/stumpings 24/2 530/66
Source: Cricinfo

Life and career

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Swetman was born in Westminster, London on 25 October 1933.[1]

Commencing his career with Surrey, for whom he was understudy to Arthur McIntyre, Swetman soon came to notice as a deft performer, even though his appearances were limited. He went to Pakistan with the MCC 'A' team in 1955–56, though at the time he was playing mostly for Surrey's second eleven. He replaced McIntyre as Surrey's keeper in 1956.

A useful batsman, Swetman failed to consolidate his place in the England team when given first bite at replacing the long-serving Test wicket-keeper Godfrey Evans.[1] He toured Australia and New Zealand with the Test team in 1958–59, playing his first Tests when Evans was injured. He played against India in 1959, then toured the West Indies as the primary wicket-keeper in 1959–60. He lost his place at the end of the 1959-60 tour to Jim Parks, and later also fell behind John Murray in the Test selectors' eyes.

Surprisingly retiring from county cricket after the 1961 season, he returned in 1966 to play for Nottinghamshire.[1] Again leaving rather abruptly, this time in 1967, he emerged as a replacement for Barrie Meyer at Gloucestershire in 1972, but left when replaced by Andy Stovold in 1974.[1]

After leaving first-class cricket Swetman became a publican, an antiques expert and an artist specializing in portraits of cricketers.[2]

Roy Swetman died from pneumonia on 21 July 2023, at the age of 89.[3][4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Bateman, Colin (1993). If The Cap Fits. Tony Williams Publications. p. 163. ISBN 1-869833-21-X.
  2. ^ Whitehouse, Chris. "Roy Swetman, Ashes wicket-keeper". Addiscombe CC. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  3. ^ Spiller, Richard (25 July 2023). "Roy Swetman Obituary". Surrey CCC. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  4. ^ "Roy Swetman obituary". The Times. 7 August 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
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