One of North Wales cricket’s finest batsmen of the 2000s prepares for his final innings

Saturday will bring the final game in the career of one of North Wales’ most exciting batsmen of the past 20 years.

St Asaph opener Duncan Midgley will hang up his gloves following his team’s crucial last match of the campaign against Bangor at Elwy Grove Park.

If Bangor win, they will be crowned North Wales League Premier Division champions, whereas if Saints are victorious second-place Brymbo are waiting to pounce.

With Bangor being one of Duncan’s former clubs, the game will have added significance for the gifted stroke-maker, who has chalked up nearly 11,000 runs and 16 centuries in a sparkling career.

Grassroots North Wales interviewed Duncan on the eve of his farewell appearance.

At the age of 38 you are calling it a day on your cricket career. Why have you made the decision?

Dave, thanks for reminding me of my age! The decision to retire has been on my mind for the last couple of seasons in all seriousness, however I knew as this season was fast approaching that this would certainly be my last.

Physically & ability-wise, I believe I still have a lot to offer, however personally for me and my family this is the right time to finish. It’s time to focus on my family and start enjoying weekends away from the cricket field. My boys both have busy sporting lives and I don’t want to miss out on that and want to give them every opportunity I can.

Which clubs have you played for?

It’s a bit of a list… I’ve played for Llanrwst, Llandudno, Bangor briefly, Mochdre and my home town St Asaph. I’ve played representative cricket for North Wales for many years and also had a spell at Glamorgan seconds.

What have you won as a player – both with teams and individually

I’ve been very lucky to have played for some very good sides and have won 9 Premier League titles and 1 Welsh Cup. Seven league titles and a Welsh Cup with Llandudno and two league titles with St Asaph. I have also won the Premier League Batting Award 3 times which is always a great achievement when there are so many good batsmen out there in the league.

What has been your favourite season?

That’s a hard one. Winning my first league title, after the move from Llanrwst to Llandudno was a special season. However, winning the Premier title for the first time at St Asaph (2021), my home town was very special, Winning it on the last game of the season at home with so many supporters present… that will always stay with me.

Do you have a favourite game you’ve played in?

Another tough one. The Welsh Cup Final down south (2006) was special. Scoring 160 for Llandudno when chasing down St Asaph’s 350 was also a special day. However, I have to go back to the last game of the 2021 season to win the first league title with St Asaph as my favourite. Not the fact that I got 80 that day, but the whole game, atmosphere and occasion was just special.

Which of your 16 centuries have you enjoyed the most?

I have to say my 160 not out for Llandudno away at Pontblyddyn (2009) when we chased 230 with ease. Pontblyddyn were a very good team back then and it was a top of the table clash.

What is your highest score and best bowling?

My highest score is 173 for Llandudno at home to Mold (2012). My best bowling – I took 7 wickets for Mochdre once which was unheard of, but we ended up losing the game.

Do you know your career runs and wickets totals?

I believe my career runs are just shy of 11,000 after 300 games. Couldn’t tell you how many wickets. I’ve never seen myself as a bowler personally, a part-time bowler at best.

Who is the best player you have played alongside?

Very, very hard to pick the best player I have played alongside as I’ve played in some fantastic teams. I would have to mention Jack Rimmington at Llandudno. One of, if not the best local bowler who just delivered every season for the club. Dan Evans is another very talented cricketer who I brought through the junior ranks at Llandudno and then managed to get at St Asaph. Very talented cricketer with both bat and ball and is a unreal fielder. Will Evans is another one. Played with Will at Mochdre and for the police and he’s a great lad to play alongside. When he is on it with the bat, there isn’t anyone better in North Wales for me. I’ve been fortunate to play alongside some fantastic overseas players too, with a special mention to Steve Green who was fantastic at Llandudno and Shane Mott, who was with me at Bangor and that year he also played for Holland in the World Cup.

Do you have a favourite ground?

My favourite grounds as of now and recently are St Asaph and Menai Bridge. Both have fantastic clubhouses, facilities and grounds.

What do you think have been your best qualities as a batsman?

I think my best qualities as a batsman has been sticking to my game and my scoring shots. not so much recently though I must say. I’d like to think I’ve always had a good batter’s head and when you put your mind to it anything is possible.

How would you like Duncan Midgley to be most remembered as a cricketer?

I’d definitely be remembered as someone with a few cricketing jumpers haha. I’ve made some crazy decisions in my career cricketing wise and 1 or 2 I do regret, however that is life. In all seriousness I’d like to think I’d be remembered as someone who loved batting and loved scoring runs. A winner. And someone who played the game hard. I never liked losing and would play the game hard, but ensured a beer was drank after the game with the opposition.

Do you have any children involved in sport?

I have 2 boys yeah. Cai is 10 and Bobi is 6. Both boys are into their cricket and football. They are the reason my cricket will be stopping so I can focus on them and give them both every opportunity.

Will you stay involved in the sport in any way?

I will stay involved in sport if I can yeah. I will still go down and watch the St Asaph boys play as it’s a great club to be around. I have some close friends there and the bar will be open. I do play a bit of vets football and have signed for Prestatyn Sports so let’s see how that goes.

North Wales cricket has a lot to thank you for – but would you like to thank anyone for their impact on your cricket career?

I would like to finish with a few thank yous if I can please.

I want to thank the clubs I have played for. I want to thank the team-mates I have played alongside for so many fantastic memories and for being one of the main reasons for my success. I want to thank the captains I have played under, mainly Steve Smith & Will Ryan. Thank you for leading teams with me amongst them and for keeping a lid on me when my behaviour on the cricket pitch reached its maximum. And the biggest thank yous are to my family. Firstly my wife, who I have been with for 21 years now and has lived this cricket journey with me. She has always supported me. Always followed where I went club wise & always came down to support me (and have a Malibu) and over the last few years she has looked after my boys to allow me to play.

My biggest thanks is to my parents. My mum has always been my biggest supporter in cricket and to my Dad, Colin. I’ve never had the luxury of being coached at a really high level, everything I learnt about the game growing up and ability to bat came from my dad. He spent countless hours in the garden throwing balls at me and coaching me and I would not have achieved a lot of what I have done if it wasn’t for him. He’s always been my worst critic but one of my biggest supporters.