Watson Frank Image 1 Lancashire 1926

Nottingham born Frank Watson was one of Lancashire’s most prolific batsman of the inter-war years. Making his County Championship debut in 1920, Watson originally batted in the middle order before moving up to opener for the latter part of his career. He showed early promise making 131 against Hampshire, and toured The West Indies with The M.C.C. in 1925-26, although he was never selected for England.

He made 22,833 runs for the County, with a highest score of 300 not out against Surrey in 1928. In that game he set a second-wicket partnership of 371 with Ernest Tyldesley which remains a Lancashire record to this day. He finished the 1928 season with 2,583 runs, his highest tally. He was a core team member of the County Championship winning Lancashire teams of 1926, 1927, 1928, 1930, and 1934, making his last appearance for the County in 1937.

A right-handed batsman, he was also a useful right-arm medium pace bowler, and in a career of 470 first class matches he scored 23,596 runs at an average of 36.98 with 50 centuries and 111 half centuries. With his bowling he took 407 wickets at 32.14 a piece and took five wickets in an innings five times, with a best return of 5-31. He also held 292 catches in the first class game.

His father was a professional cricketer who played in the Lancashire League.

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