Alan Davidson was for many years the president of the New South
Wales cricket association. He was a classy left hander who
started out his career as a slow left arm bowler to a fast
bowler to make more of his tall thick set frame. He played in 6
Ashes series three at home and three overseas Ashes series in
1953, 1956 and 1961. Richie Benaud once said of Davidson
'I have never played with
or against a more penetrative bowler ... For the 5 years after
1957/8, whenever the side was in trouble, we always looked for
Davidson and seldom did he fail.'
(Willow
Patterns 1969). Possibly his greatest feat came in
the first Test at Brisbane against the West Indies when he took
10 wickets and scored 100 runs (the first time it had been
achieved). He was awarded an OBE for services to sport.