Alan Davidson, the Australia allrounder who became the first player to take 10 wickets and score 100 runs in a single Test, has died at the age of 92.
The left-arm swing bowler represented Australia in 44 Tests between 1953 to 1963, claiming 186 wickets at an average of 20.53. He also scored 1328 runs during his career. Davidson scalped 672 wickets in first-class cricket and amassed 6804 runs at 32.86. He registered his career-best figures (7/93) in 1959 against India in the Kanpur Test.
“Alan Davidson’s passing is a sad moment for Australian cricket and for cricket across the world,” CA chair Richard Freudenstein said in a statement.
“Alan was a colossal figure in our game, not only as one of the finest players to have represented Australia and NSW. But for the positive influence, he exerted across the game as an administrator, mentor, and benefactor. The tremendous skill and the boundless spirit with which Alan embraced cricket. And life embodied everything that is great about the game. He will remain a shining example for every player who follows in his footsteps.”
“On behalf of Cricket Australia, and all those who benefitted from Alan’s vast contribution across Australian cricket. I offer my deepest condolences to the Davidson family. As well Alan’s many close friends, colleagues, and former teammates,” he added.
After his retirement, Alan Davidson served as a national selector between 1979 and 1984. He was inducted into the International Cricket Council’s Hall of Fame in 2011. One of the most memorable performances of Davidson came in a tied Test at the Gabba in 1960 between Australia and West Indies. Davidson played with a broken finger and finished with match figures of 11-222 and also smashed 124 runs.