Lives in Cricket No 39 - Alec Watson

53 The anni mirabiles two went with Shaw and Shrewsbury’s side to Australia, Watson did not; nor did he go with Vernon’s team, though he was better than some in it. Alec also had five wickets or more in an innings nine times and ten or more in a match thrice. Certainly Watson could not be blamed for Lancashire failing to clinch the ‘championship’. Wisden , however, merely marked his performance, and those of Briggs and Barlow, as ‘quite competent’ and bemoaned the lack of a good fast bowler; the shadow of the departed Crossland still loomed large over Old Trafford.