Willie Watson, one of Yorkshire's greatest batsmen and a double international at cricket and soccer for England, died today at his home in Johannesburg, aged 84.
The left-handed Watson, who was born in Huddersfield, played for Yorkshire between 1939-57, scoring 13,953 first class runs, with 26 centuries. He then moved on to captain Leicestershire before retiring in 1964, having scored 25,670 runs with 55 centuries during his career.
Watson played in 23 Tests for England and will always be remembered for his 109 against Australia at Lord's in 1953 when his partnership with Trevor Bailey saved the match.
He played football for Huddersfield Town and Sunderland and was later manager of Bradford City and Halifax Town. Watson played four football internationals for England and took part in the 1950 World Cup in Brazil.
Dickie Bird, who was taken from Yorkshire to Leicestershire by Watson, said today: "Willie Watson was one of the greatest batsmen on a bad pitch that I have ever seen."
Updated: 11:51 Saturday, April 24, 2004
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