Sporting icons: Allan Davidson - Aussie cricket all round superstar of 1960s era - Career HLs , video

 

Allan Davidson: The Relentless Aussie All-Rounder

Introduction

Alan Keith Davidson was born on June 14, 1929, in Lisarow, New South Wales, Australia. A brilliant left-arm fast-medium bowler and a combative lower-order left-handed batsman, Davidson was a classical all-rounder. His style of play was marked by controlled swing bowling, fierce competitiveness, and tough, gritty batting, especially when his team needed it most. He was also an outstanding slip fielder, setting high standards in all facets of the game.

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Career Highlights

Davidson made his Test debut for Australia in 1953 and played until 1963. His international career coincided with a golden era in Australian cricket, where he became the spearhead of the bowling attack and a dependable lower-order batter.

He is best remembered for his immense contributions in tight contests, particularly for his heroic all-round performance in the famous Tied Test against West Indies in 1960. Davidson became the first cricketer to score over 100 runs and take 10 wickets in a single Test match—a record-making feat that remains one of the greatest all-round performances in Test history.

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Test Career Stats

• Matches: 44
• Runs: 1,328
• Batting Avg: 24.59
• 100s/50s: 0/5
• Highest Score: 80
• Wickets: 186
• Bowling Avg: 20.53
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 14
• 10-Wicket Match Hauls: 2
• Best Bowling: 7/93
• Catches: 42

Davidson was known for getting early breakthroughs and breaking partnerships with his unerring accuracy and subtle movement off the pitch.

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ODI Career

• Davidson retired before ODIs became a regular feature; he never played ODI cricket.

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First-Class Career

• Matches: 193
• Runs: 6,804
• Batting Avg: 32.86
• Wickets: 672
• Bowling Avg: 20.90
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 37
• Best Bowling: 8/64

His first-class career for New South Wales was equally illustrious. He was instrumental in many Sheffield Shield victories and remained a stalwart of state cricket for over a decade.

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Notable Innings & Memorable Bowling Spells

🔹 1960 Tied Test vs West Indies (Brisbane)

• Batting: 44 & 80
• Bowling: 5/135 & 6/87

He became the first player to score over 100 runs and take 10 wickets in a Test match—a feat achieved during one of the most dramatic Tests ever.

🔹 1959 vs India (Kanpur)

• 7/93 on a flat subcontinental wicket, showcasing his mastery of swing even in batting-friendly conditions.

🔹 1961 Ashes (Headingley)

• Took 6/64 in a vital spell, turning the match Australia’s way in a tense low-scoring game.

Davidson was often called upon in crisis situations and more often than not delivered with ball—or bat—when Australia needed it.

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Legacy

Alan Davidson left an enduring legacy as one of the greatest left-arm swing bowlers in Test history. His mastery of the new and old ball, his dependable lower-order batting, and his brilliant fielding made him a complete cricketer.

• He was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1964 for services to cricket.
• Later, he served as President of Cricket New South Wales and remained actively involved in the game’s administration.
• In 2004, he was named in Australia’s Greatest Ashes XI.
• Davidson was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2011.

His influence went beyond statistics—he was a pioneer for future fast-bowling all-rounders, including Kapil Dev, Richard Hadlee, and Jacques Kallis.

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Final Word

Alan Davidson epitomized the Australian spirit: tough, selfless, and competitive. His incredible contribution in both bowling and batting laid the foundation for Australia’s post-war dominance. In every sense, he was a cricketer's cricketer—graceful with the ball, defiant with the bat, and an impeccable sportsman who left a timeless mark on the game.

In the below video watch Davidson 's brilliant bowling vs England in 1958 test at MCG