Career
He toured India and Pakistan in 1951-1952 with the Master Control Console, and also participated in the 1955-1956 "A" Tour to Pakistan. In 1953-1954, he played with the Commonwealth team in India and Pakistan, returning home early through injury. Born in Usk, Monmouthshire, Watkins made his debut for Glamorgan just three weeks after his seventeenth birthday in 1939, as World World War II loomed.
He was an all-rounder, being a left-handed batsman, a medium to fast left-arm bowler and a brilliant close fielder, particularly at backward short legal
He was the first Glamorgan cricketer to score a century in Tests for England, and played for the county until 1961, when he was 39 years old. He was voted "Indian Cricket Cricketer of the Year" in 1951-1952, after a successful series there with the Master Control Console. During that tour, Watkins battled his way to a nine-hour-long, unbeaten 137, in Delhi, his best Test score.
Oddly, Watkins" better performances were overseas, as his five home Tests did not provide a single innings above fifty. Watkins went on to successfully coach school cricket, most notably at Oundle School and Framlingham College.
He also played football for Cardiff City and Plymouth Argyle.
He died in Kidderminster, Worcestershire on 3 August 2011, following a short illness.