Charlie Davis

Charlie Davis was a solid, dependable right-hand middle-order batsman who started his first-class career with a fifty for Trinidad aged only 17 in 1960-61 but it took a good Shell Shield season in 1967-68 - and 158 against the touring English - for him to come into Test reckoning. After one appearance in Australia in 1968-69, he made a hundred at Lord's in 1969 in only his third Test - it was West Indies only three-figure score in the series - and followed with a superb home series against India, scoring 529 runs at 132.25 in four Tests, including two hundreds and three fifties. The following season he again shone, scoring well against New Zealand and averaging 58.25 in the five Tests with one hundred, a career-best 183 at Bridgetown. But he inexplicably lost his place against Australia in 1972-73, playing only the last two Tests, despite another good domestic season, and soon drifted out of the game. He was unfortunate not only because of selectorial whims, but also that he happened to be playing while West Indies were in transition, and he was at his peak at a time new faces were forging their way into the side. He was also a good fielder and a useful seamer - good enough to head the bowling averages in Australia and New Zealand in 1968-69, where his 24 wickets included 7 for 106 against South Australia.
Martin Williamson