Former South African fast bowler-all-rounder John Watkins has died in Durban at the age of 98. He was the oldest living male cricketer at the time of his death.
John was disappointed with Covid-19 :-
This all-rounder was let down by the Kovid-19 virus 10 days ago. Watkins who made his Test debut against Australia in Johannesburg in 1949. The Renowned for bowling with perfect control. Plagued by his economy rate of 1.74.
He took 15 wickets and scored 612 runs in 15 Tests. The highlight of his Test career came in the 1952–53 season in Australia. He scored 408 runs and finished with 16 scalps.
The Tourists to a four-wicket victory :-
Known for his stroke-play, Watkins scored twin fifties in the MCG Test of that series and led the Tourists to a four-wicket victory. The series ended in a 2–2 draw. The first time Australia had not won a Test series against South Africa.
John Watkins’ best Test match of 4 for 22 came against NZ. He ran down the middle and lower order to guide his team to an innings victory. John played a Test match against Eng in the 1956–57 season.
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The Curry Cup against Rhodesia arrived :-
John made his first-class debut in the Currie Cup against Rhodesia on New Year’s Day in 1947 and played 59 more first-class games. He took 2158 runs and 96 wickets in first-class cricket.
“On behalf of the CSA family, I extend my deepest sympathies to his family, friends and cricket associates,” said CSA’s officiating chief executive Foletsi Mosecki.
