Denis Atkinson

A sound batsman and a bowler of medium-pace offcutters, Denis Atkinson made his debut in India in 1948-49, and was a Test regular in the mid-1950s. He was captain for three Tests against Australia in 1954-55, in the absence of Jeff Stollmeyer, and later led West Indies to a series victory in New Zealand. His finest hour, though, came in the fourth Test of that Australian series. Facing a total of 668, West Indies collapsed and were 146 for 6 when Atkinson and Clairmonte Depeiaza came together. In more than a day the pair added 347 for the seventh wicket, a first-class record for 40 years and still the best in Tests. Atkinson contributed 219, his career-highest, and also took seven wickets in the match. On his sole tour of England in 1957 he began memorably, taking 10 for 62 in the first match at Worcester, but later he was overworked and a strained shoulder affected his performance.
Christopher Martin-Jenkins

Adapted by Wisden from World Cricketers: A Biographical Dictionary (Oxford, 1996).