Lives in Cricket No 1 - Allan Watkins

victory, which came by four wickets, reinforcing the host country’s claims to Test status. “He was a good player, young Hanif,” says Allan. “He was such a quiet unassuming batsman, but he played his shots. There was nothing hurried, there was no forcing it. He wasn’t a big man, but he was a beautiful player.” Back in Bombay for the second Test against India, Allan, as senior professional, sat down with the captain, vice-captain and manager to choose the side. A ticklish problem confronted them. Graveney was now fit and an automatic choice as a batsman. But who should make way? The opening pair were settled, Kenyon had just run into form and the other batting places were taken by the heroes of the Delhi Test, Allan and Donald Carr. It was Allan who spoke up: “Well I think the skipper is the natural person to leave out.” This was awkward advice for the young captain, but it was a problem that had been anticipated before the team left England. Nigel Howard had been firmly told to make sure he played regardless of form. In an unhappy compromise Carr was omitted. “I think it was reasonable that Nigel should play,” he now says. “I probably didn’t think so at the time!” A second change saw the replacement of Shackleton by Eddie Leadbeater. There had been great determination to get another leg spinner to replace Rhodes. An urgent cable to MCC had drawn a disappointing response: 66 Senior Professional in India Allan bowling on another unresponsive Indian pitch