Lives in Cricket No 1 - Allan Watkins

years exceeded Allan’s average in Tests for England until the advent of Raman Subba Row and Geoff Pullar at the end of the 1950s. Moreover, no player on the list can claim superiority as a bowler and fielder. With the ball Allan achieved less at the highest level. The man first chosen to open the attack against Bradman’s men took only 11 Test wickets, but his best years as a bowler came when his England days were over, and in Tests he never enjoyed the chance of rich pickings against weak opposition on helpful pitches. In the end, this may be the story of a man denied his true deserts, but it has recorded the deeds of one of Glamorgan’s most outstanding cricketers, and one of the good guys of cricket. 108 Allan at home in 2007