Billy 'Blinks' Watson dies, aged 87

Billy Watson, one of the all-time great characters, has died in Sydney, aged 87.

The Australian team wore black armbands in his honour on the first day of the SCG Test where ‘Blinks’, as he was affectionally known, made his first-class, and Test, debut in the 1950s.

The Indians also wore black armbands in honour of Ramakant Achrekar who turned Sachin Tendulkar from an aspiring fast bowler into a world-beating batsman.

Achrekar died in Mumbai, aged 86.

Everything ‘Blinks’ did was associated with blinking; he was a nervous character, but a free-flowing opening batsman who was a treat to watch, even when you were bowling at him.

‘Blinks’ joined the St George club that had seen the likes of Don Bradman, Bill O’Reilly, Arthur Morris and Ray Lindwall grace Hurstville Oval before him.

But ‘Blinks’ had plenty of top-shelf status teammates in skipper and opening batting partner Warren Saunders, who captained NSW, first drop Test batsman Norm O’Neill, then Test batsman Brian Booth, followed by NSW all-rounder Ray Flockton.

It was by far the strongest Sydney first grade batting line-up, supported by hard-hitting Eddie Atwool, Don Buchanan, and keeper Brian Sidgreaves – it was one helluva side.

But ‘Blinks’ was the character.

He loved to chirp – nothing derogatory, always amusing. But he had to say something, ‘Blinks’ wasn’t silent for too long, either by mouth, or his flashing blade that constantly pierced the field on its way to the boundary.

He scored a century against the MCC in 1954 that earned him a baggy green that season, and a tour of the West Indies.

What a team that was – Colin McDonald, Arthur Morris, Neil Harvey, with normal opener ‘Blinks’ batting four, followed by Keith Miller, Richie Benaud, Ron Archer, skipper Ian Johnson, Ray Lindwall, keeper Gil Langley, and Bill Johnston, plus Les Favell and Victorian leggie Jack Hill.

The West Indians weren’t too shabby either, with the fabulous ‘three W’s’ – Clyde Walcott, Everton Weekes, and Frank Worrell – and a young Garry Sobers, who batted eight, with champion spinner Sonny Ramadhin.

‘Blinks’ only played four Tests, but over a few beers after stumps when he returned to grade, he was always proud to say he was a baggy green owner, and had played with, and against, some of the all-time greats.

One chat with ‘Blinks’ I’ll never forget.

It was after a Mosman Oval one-dayer that started at 10am.

I sent St George in, figuring they’d give us a huge total to chase.

Wrong.

At 10:45, we were back in the shed having dismissed that powerhouse batting line-up for just 48 – our opening bowlers Bobby Letherbarrow and Don Broomham had five each for little.

I closed at 1-49 for first innings points, before the Saints went marching for a mighty quick 200-plus and we hung on to avoid being beaten outright.

I can still see ‘Blinks’ looking me square in the eye, and with disbelief in his voice, ask the question, “Lordy, how in bloody hell did you blokes get us out for 48? I wouldn’t believe it if I hadn’t been a party to it – it’s the most staggering result I’ve ever been seen.”.

And every time I’ve seen ‘Blinks’ since, he asked the same question.

I wish he could ask it again.