He takes a lot of pride in his preparation and performance and in doing an honest day's work
"He takes a lot of pride in his preparation and performance and in doing an honest day's work. His main asset as a bowler now is that by being tall and getting a lot of body into his action, he gets bounce and spin and bowls wicket-taking deliveries, even on pitches that aren't taking much turn. But if it's never too late for a date with fate, switching disciplines has certainly enabled Watkinson to fit more easily into the Raymond Illingworth jigsaw, based as it is around bowlers for whom a bat is more than something to take guard with."He's an old time pro," Lloyd explained. There has always been a cricketer of substance present, albeit one whose no-nonsense and selfless approach have rarely attracted rave notices outside the shire of the red rose. "Ever since I started at Lancashire, I've always bowled a few offies in the nets," Watkinson explained following his most recent weekly session with the county's coach, David Lloyd.
"But apart from 1986 when the club wanted me to concentrate solely on spin [something that didn't work out with the balance of the side] it's only been in the past couple of years that I've bowled them more or less exclusively in Championship cricket."The sudden arrival of such a fully formed player has come as no surprise to many. But Watkinson came late to spin so he has been able to combine the cool head of experience with the excitement and energy of one fascinated and regenerated by the possibilities of his new art.The change has been both beneficial and rejuvenating. But if slow recognition has made Watkinson impatient, he does not show it and he is typically phlegmatic when he admits he will just "try and get the best out the role given me in the filler games, in a bid to play in the Tests". At 34, the selection of England's latest off-spinner would seem to contradict the selectors' youth policy. Most tours, and South Africa, where the party arrives on Thursday, is likely to prove no exception, are notorious for the "lost" players whose early form leads to their being all but forgotten. It is a dilemma that Mike Watkinson, England's latest "late developer" is fully aware of.
But as Joey Benjamin proved last year at the ripe old age of 33, getting on tour was not difficult; it was getting a game that was the problem. UNLIKE the swallows that also head south at this time of year, relative newcomers to England's touring parties have usually beenfledglings rather than wise old birds; cricketers with youth and spark, rather than tough minds and weary bodies. I don't know if Linford Christie, John Regis and the lads believe in reincarnation but a silent prayer to come back as a racehorse wouldn't hurt.. Now he retires to stud, where he can look forward to about 17 years of service before another 10 years of quiet grazing.
The three-year-old has raced only four times and has won the Derby, the King George and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Viewers either side of the Pennines are given the occasional evening highlights programme but no one else in Britain. A shame; the New Zealand-Tonga match last Sunday was rated one of the best ever seen.At a time when league is fighting to display its wares, the BBC are doing the minimum to help. It may not be their fault but it underlines their inadequacies when there is more than lip-mike service to be given to a sport.