Mike Watkinson Explained

Mike Watkinson
Birth Place:Westhoughton, Lancashire, England
Birth Date:1961 8, df=y
Fullname:Michael Watkinson
Country:England
Batting:Right-handed
Bowling:Right-arm medium
Right-arm off-break
Role:All-rounder
Family:Liam Watkinson (son)
International:true
Internationalspan:1995–1996
Testdebutdate:27 July
Testdebutyear:1995
Testdebutagainst:West Indies
Testcap:575
Lasttestdate:4 January
Lasttestyear:1996
Lasttestagainst:South Africa
Odidebutdate:13 January
Odidebutyear:1996
Odidebutagainst:South Africa
Odicap:134
Columns:4
Column1:Test
Matches1:4
Runs1:167
Bat Avg1:33.39
100S/50S1:0/1
Top Score1:82
Deliveries1:672
Wickets1:10
Bowl Avg1:34.79
Fivefor1:0
Tenfor1:0
Best Bowling1:3/64
Catches/Stumpings1:1/–
Column2:ODI
Matches2:1
Runs2:
Bat Avg2:
100S/50S2:
Top Score2:
Deliveries2:54
Wickets2:0
Bowl Avg2:
Fivefor2:
Tenfor2:
Best Bowling2:
Catches/Stumpings2:0/–
Column3:FC
Matches3:308
Runs3:10,939
Bat Avg3:26.68
100S/50S3:11/50
Top Score3:161
Deliveries3:47,808
Wickets3:739
Bowl Avg3:33.77
Fivefor3:27
Tenfor3:3
Best Bowling3:8/30
Catches/Stumpings3:156/–
Column4:LA
Matches4:374
Runs4:5,398
Bat Avg4:22.97
100S/50S4:2/20
Top Score4:130
Deliveries4:16,057
Wickets4:381
Bowl Avg4:31.89
Fivefor4:3
Tenfor4:0
Best Bowling4:5/44
Catches/Stumpings4:98/–
Date:4 August
Year:2013
Source:http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/22328.html

Michael Watkinson (born 1 August 1961) is a former English cricketer who played four Test matches and one One Day International in the mid-1990s. A right-handed batsman and right-arm bowler of either medium-pace or off-spin, he was instrumental in Lancashire County Cricket Club's successes in the 1990s, later becoming the county's director of cricket.

He showed early promise as an all-round sportsman, excelling in both cricket and football, and achieving good standards in golf and basketball. He demonstrated that good hand, ball and eye co-ordination can be applied to many sports, and thus it is no surprise that he was able to make his living through sport.

Watkinson attended Westhoughton County Primary School, and Rivington and Blackrod High School. During this time he was a regular player at Westhoughton Cricket Club in the Bolton Cricket League, where he drew attention from Teddy Gerrard, a coach at the club.

From these beginnings, and following cricketing predecessors from the club (four of the Tyldesley family made the ground staff at Old Trafford, with Dick Tyldesley reaching international level with England) Watkinson emulated the local heroes, playing for Lancashire and England.

Domestic cricket

As a county cricketer Watkinson was part of a Lancashire with a strong record in List A cricket. It was a team featuring many internationals, including Michael Atherton, Neil Fairbrother, Graeme Fowler, Peter Martin, and the Pakistan star Wasim Akram; later he would also play alongside Andrew Flintoff and Muttiah Muralitharan. Watkinson helped Lancashire to win both the Benson and Hedges Cup and the NatWest Bank Trophy in 1990, winning the man of the match award in the final of the former.

He was captain of the Lancashire side from 1992 to 1997. In 1996 under his leadership the county repeated the double of the Benson and Hedges Cup and the NatWest Bank Trophy. He also helped them to win the Benson and Hedges Cup in 1995.

International cricket

Watkinson made his Test cricket debut against the West Indies in 1995 at Old Trafford, when Atherton was England captain. He was thus placed in the unusual position, in his debut on his county home ground, of being captained by a county colleague of whom he was usually the captain in county cricket.

England won his first test, Watkinson contributing 37 runs and five wickets, three of them in the second innings. Atherton later praised Watkinson's bowling, saying: "He was a bit nervous in the first innings but bowled exceptionally in the second".[1]

The highlight of Watkinson's international career came in the next test when he made his highest Test score, 82 not out, in an unlikely last-wicket stand with an injured Richard Illingworth to ensure England held the West Indies to a draw. According to Christopher Martin-Jenkins, this result was assured by "the resourceful batting of Lancashire`s cool, competent and battle-hardened captain and Illingworth`s courageous defiance of doctor`s orders to share in England`s largest last-wicket stand since Bob Willis and Peter Willey put on 117 in 1980".[2]

Picked to tour South Africa, he had a more low-key experience and was not picked to play international cricket again.

After retirement

After retirement from 2002 he took the position of coach with Lancashire, from 2008 being elevated to the position of Director of cricket.[3]

In October 2014, Watkinson announced that he was to resign from his role as Director following a disappointing season, which saw the club relegated from the top flight of County Championship Cricket, this ended his 32-year association with Lancashire.[4]

In December 2014, Watkinson became director of cricket at Manchester Grammar School.[5]

His son, Liam Watkinson, has played four first-class matches for Leeds/Bradford MCCU.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: England v West Indies, Test 4 . 15 Mar 2022.
  2. Web site: England v West Indies, Test 5. 15 Mar 2022.
  3. Web site: Watkinson named director of cricket. 15 Mar 2022.
  4. Web site: Cricket director Mike Watkinson leaves Lancashire after 32 years at Old Trafford . Sky Sports . 21 June 2024 . 6 October 2014.
  5. News: Nelson . Craig . Mike Watkinson unveiled as director of cricket at Manchester Grammer School . 21 June 2024 . Bolton News . 2 December 2014.
  6. Web site: Liam Watkinson profile and biography . 13 July 2021.