Graeme Watson

Graeme Watson was an all-round sportsman who played AFL for Melbourne as well as representing three states during his cricket careers. A middle-order batsman and medium-pace bowler, particularly effective on wet wickets where he could cut the ball markedly. He started with Victoria where he quickly secured a regular place and had such a good first full season with bat and ball that he was taken to South Africa where he played three of his five Tests. He was due to start his national service but as a student he got that deferred. In 1969-70 he toured New Zealand, and in 1971-72 he moved to Western Australia, being a key part in their Shield-winning teams of 1971-72, 1972-73 and 1974-75. In 1971-72 he was picked for two unofficial Tests against a World XI, opening the batting, but in the second he suffered an horrific injury when hit in the face by Tony Greig. His doctors advised him to retire, but six weeks later he was playing again and was rewarded with a place on the 1972 England tour. He started with 176 against Hampshire and won a place for the first Test, making 0 and 2, and was then dropped until the fifth Test. Overall, he had a good tour. In 1975 he moved to Sydney for work - he was a marketing executive - and played a few games for New South Wales. In 1977 he signed for World Series Cricket signalling the end of his first-class career.
Martin Williamson