Alan Davidson voted father of the Year in 1982

By A.C De Silva

Father's Day is celebrated on the first Saturday in September in Australia as probably in other western countries.

To mark the occasion, a prominent personality (say the Prime Minister, a well-known scientist, a humanitarian) is crowned father of the year.

In 1982 the choice fell on a surprised and delighted Alan Davidson, Australia's great all-rounder of 1950's and 1960's.

"This is a Test Cap" exclaimed Davidson, who after playing for the Australian Test team, climbed to the high pedestal of being Test-selector and the President of the NSW Cricket Association.

Davidson was somewhat surprised man... "This is a Test Cup" exclaimed Davidson.

"I was known to few people as a cricketer, but as father of the year," he said. He said that he can contact with Australia and sport in many aspects. This is a recognition of all the people that I have been associated with.

"To put it bluntly this is one of the greatest honours ever bestowed on me," he continued, still smiling.

M.B.E. Honour

Alan Davidson, M.B.E., comes from a remarkable cricketing family. His grandfather (Arthur Clifton), six uncles, six nephews, father Keith and son Neil have all played first-grade cricket for the Gosford District in N.S.W. Neil, when he was 29, played for Western Suburbs under Bob Simpson.

He was nicknamed "The claw" because of his agile close-in fielding.

He was behind many of Australia's famous wins. He starred in the "tied" Test against the West Indies in 1960-61 by Capturing 11 wickets and scoring 100 runs in the match, then a unique performance at Test level.

Davidson-Benaud bring Aussies victory

Davidson along with skipper Richie Benaud was responsible for Australia's stunning victory in the Manchester Test of 1961.

Australia was on her knees when he added 98 runs for the last wicket with Graham McKenzie.

Then just as English players were keeping Champagne bottles for Chilling. Benaud took 5 for 12 in 25 balls and Australia narrowly retained the "ashes."

The genial "Davo" at the age of 53, recalls that he owes a tremendous lot to his uncle Vern "I became a fast bowler purely by chance and thanks to uncle Vern." Until I was 17, I used to bowl by fastest, so I let fly with an in-swinger that shattered his stumps.

He kept quiet but uncle gave me the new ball next day. " I was somewhat surprised, but then grasped the ball greatfully. I finished with 4 for 39 and was firmly launched on a fast bowling career," said Alan.

Alan Davidson played 44 Tests, beginning in June 1953 against England.

He was often stricken with injuries and in the fourth Test of his final series he tore his hamstring muscle after bowling only 3.4 overs and conceding 30 runs.

The fifth Test was on his home ground at Sydney and the series was "tied" at one victory each.

His final knock with the bat saw him score 15 before he was caught off the bowling of England captain Ted Dexter.

In the first innings he took 3 for 43.

England's second knock he took 3 for 80 and with his final ball in Test cricket, he captured the wicket of Alan Smith, caught at slip by Bob Simpson.

Australia were set a target of 241 in 60 overs but when the match ended in a draw, they were on 152 for 4.