Graeme Watson Dies

RIP Graeme Watson, former Test cricketer, he also played VFL football for Melbourne.

He was a pretty solid all-rounder who didn't really get an extended chance at Test level, despite making 50 on his debut in South Africa in 66-67.

He had to be hospitalized after being snotted in the head by a Tony Greig beamer (he top-edged it into his face) playing for Australia v Rest of the World in 71-72, the second time in the same match he was hit in the head (the first time was from a Peter Pollock bouncer).

I remember it happening, he was in a very serious condition too if I remember correctly, it caused a lot of bleeding.

This was the same international in which Sobers scored his famous 254.

He was one of the first players (if not the first) to play Shield cricket for three states - Vic, WA & NSW.

Glory be, for a second I thought it was this one.

Lovely tribute from Chappelli here.
https://wwos.nine.com.au/cricket/ia...r-battle/2b520db5-fa9f-45d9-ad4c-7394129b97be
I particularly enjoyed this.

I was in the official party at his first wedding which was attended by then Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt. I was unable to attend any of the other ceremonies which was unfortunate because it precluded me from using the hilarious line of England's fast bowling funny man John J Warr.
When J J attended England batsman Bill Edrich's fifth wedding he was asked; "Which side - bride or groom?" Without a flicker of a smile he answered; "Season's ticket."

Click to expand...

As much as he can be a grumpy old prick at times, articles like that show that when he eventually does depart Ian Chappell is going to leave a gaping hole in the cricket landscape. Outside of Bobby Simpson and AB (maybe Ponting one day too) it's hard to think of too many people who've had more influence than him on Australian cricket in the last fifty years.

Gough said:

As much as he can be a grumpy old prick at times, articles like that show that when he eventually does depart Ian Chappell is going to leave a gaping hole in the cricket landscape. Outside of Bobby Simpson and AB (maybe Ponting one day too) it's hard to think of too many people who've had more influence than him on Australian cricket in the last fifty years.

Click to expand...

That looks like Chappell who was batting with Graeme Watson when he was struck (by Greig).

IIRC, Watson opened in that match, he was one of several players they tried to partner with Stacky after Lawry was axed.

GROTTO said:

Glory be, for a second I thought it was this one.

Click to expand...

He made one last DRS and LIVED!

Many may not realise that Watson also joined World Series Cricket, though he did not end up playing any Super Tests. In one of the early warm-up games in 1977-78 Watson took 7-26 against a World XI from 4.7 overs.