Andrew Corran 1936-2024 RIP

 

Thanks to Mike Goulder for this timely obituary

Andrew Corran was born in Eaton, Norwich on 25th November 1936. He was educated at Gresham’s School at Holt in Norfolk between 1948 and 1955. His two years of National Service were in the Royal Army Pay Corps as a second Lieutenant. He then read Mathematics at Trinity College, Oxford between 1958-60.

He showed early signs of cricket ability playing for the Gresham School First Eleven from 1952-55 in which in the latter year he was made captain. He had a public schools trial but he did not play cricket in the Army.

A right-arm fast-medium bowler and a right-hand bat, he made his Minor Counties Championship debut for Norfolk versus Kent Seconds at Lakenham in August 1955. He received in Norfolk Cap in 1958. Two years later, Corran took 46 wickets @17.02 with Norfolk losing to Lancashire Seconds in the Minor Counties Challenge Match to decide the champions. In late July of that season, Corran obtained career best innings (8-102) and match figures (12-135) versus Buckinghamshire at Lakenham. In 28 Minor Counties fixtures for Norfolk between 1955 to 1960 Corran scored 781 runs @24.40 with a top score of 113 against Hertfordshire in August 1958. He took five wickets in an innings four times finishing with 84 wickets @22.25.


He made his first-class debut for Oxford University versus Derbyshire in the Parks on 10th to 12th May 1958, taking five wickets in the game. His maiden first-class victim was Derek Morgan. In ten first-class matches that season he scored 234 runs @15.60 and took 32 wickets @20.71. In 1959 he also made ten first-class appearances for the Dark Blues scoring 313 runs @26.08 and claiming 41 wickets @22.09. In 1960 he became more of a specialist bowler taking 35 wickets @19.31 in 10 games. He claimed career best bowling figures of 7-45 against Lancashire in the Parks in mid-May. He obtained his Cricket Blue for the third consecutive year having career best match figures of 12-118 (6-48, 6-70) in the University match at Lord’s. As a result a week later he was selected for the Gentleman versus the Players at Lord’s.

With Reg Simpson at the twilight of his career, Notts were looking for an amateur to take over the captaincy and Corran fitted the bill and he signed for the county as an amateur and appointed assistant secretary. However with him not completing his university studies until June, John Clay was appointed Notts First team captain for 1961. Corran made his first-class debut for Notts versus Middlesex at Trent Bridge on 24th-27th June 1961. Notts lost a close contest by 28 runs. Corran opening the bowling with Ian Davison had first innings figures of 4-99. In 18 first-class matches for Notts that summer Corran scored 298 runs @17.52 and took 60 wickets @35.26. In July, he took 6-61 at Southampton in a 15-run defeat against eventual champions Hampshire. Notts meanwhile claimed the wooden spoon. Clay stood down at the end of the season and was made Second Eleven captain for 1962. Corran took his place at the first team helm.

Although Notts climbed to 15th in the standings in 1962 the season proved taxing for Corran. He took 72 wickets @32.98 in 28 games and scored 653 runs @20.40. The Notts CCC committee report commented that “Corran was not so effective with the ball as expected and no doubt the responsibilities of the captaincy weighed heavily on him”. Corran resigned from his post at the end of the summer and Geoff Millman took over the captaincy. An elbow injury restricted Corran to 10 first-class matches in 1963 when he took 23 wickets @26.60. He did though hit a career best 75 in the second innings versus West Indies at Trent Bridge in August. Notts followed on but drew the contest. Corran played in 16 first-class matches in 1964 and took 36 wickets @24.63.

Corran returned to form in 1965 forging a fearsome opening bowling partnership with Carlton Forbes. In 29 first-class matches for Notts he took 111 wickets @20.31 taking five wickets in an innings eight times including Notts best figures of 6-31 when Somerset were bowled out for 62 at Bath in July with Notts winning by 200 runs. In the final game of the season against Hampshire on 1st to 3rd September, Corran had a first innings analysis of 6-58. Despite this Notts lost by 132 runs and finished bottom of the pile for the fourth time in eight years. This match turned out to be the last of Corran’s career. He decided to take a teaching post in Australia. The committee reported that he would be “a great loss to our bowling strength”. The highlight of Corran’s season however was with bat in hand. On 11th June, Corran needed to hit the final ball of the Essex game at Trent Bridge for three to give Notts a two wicket championship victory. With nine fielders positioned on the boundary, Corran hit Barry Knight for a towering six amongst tremendous excitement.

Corran played three List A games for Notts. He won the Player of the match award for his 4-35 versus Wiltshire in a Gillette Cup tie at Trent Bridge in May 1965; Notts winning by seven wickets.

Corran was awarded his County Cap in 1962. His career record for Notts is given below. He stands at number 43 in the list of Notts leading wicket-takers in first-class cricket.

BATTING M I NO RUNS HS AV’GE CT ST 100 50
First-Class 101 160 43 1829 75 15.63 61 - - 2
List A 3 2 0 27 15 13.50 1 - - -
BOWLING OVERS M RUNS W AV’GE ARPO BPW BB 5wI
First-Class 3023.3 745 8245 302 27.30 2.72 60.06 6-31 13
List A 39 11 105 6 17.50 2.69 39.00 4-35 -

In all first-class cricket his record was as follows

BATTING M I NO RUNS HS AV’GE CT ST 100 50
First-Class 132 207 55 2476 75 16.28 77 - - 4
BOWLING OVERS M RUNS W AV’GE ARPO BPW BB 5wI
First-Class 3980.3 1006 10556 410 25.74 2.65 58.25 7-45 21

Corran returned to the UK in 1968 and taught maths and cricket at Cranleigh School in Surrey from 1968 to 1995 until his retirement where he went to live in West Lulworth in Dorset.

He was an excellent hockey player, making appearances for Notts, Oxfordshire and Oxford University (blue) and in England trials. He died on 27th October 2024 at the age of 87.