William Watson, commonly known as Willie Watson, is a former New Zealand cricketer who was an integral part of the “dibbly, dobbly, wibbly and wobbly” quartet of medium-pacers in the 1980s and 1990s. Born on November 25, 1967, in New Zealand, Watson’s unique bowling style and ability to bowl wicket to wicket with slight movement made him a standout player in the cricketing world.
Watson made his international debut for New Zealand in 1986 in an ODI against Sri Lanka. He showcased his skills right from the start, taking 3 wickets for just 15 runs in his 9 overs, contributing to New Zealand’s resounding victory. His miserly bowling continued throughout his career, as he went for more than six runs an over in only three of his 61 ODIs.
Although Watson’s Test career was not as successful as his ODI stint, he still managed to make an impact. In the 15 Test matches he played, Watson finished on the winning side only thrice. However, his talent was evident in his performance against Pakistan in Lahore during the 1990-91 series, where he claimed impressive figures of 6 for 78 in a match that ended in a nine-wicket defeat for New Zealand.
Watson’s true highlight came during the 1992 World Cup, where he showcased his bowling prowess to the world. Despite not being an express pace bowler, he opened the bowling with his canny legbreaks and slow seamers alongside Dipak Patel. Watson’s disciplined bowling earned him remarkable figures of 3.81 runs per over in his 79 overs throughout the tournament. Alongside his teammates in the quartet, Watson played a significant role in restricting opponents to a mere 1041 runs in 250.1 overs in the World Cup.
Throughout his career, Watson’s statistics reflected his effectiveness as a bowler. While his bowling averages may not have been spectacular, his economical bowling consistently troubled batsmen. Watson’s discipline, accuracy, and ability to generate slight movement caused considerable difficulties for opponents, earning him the respect and admiration of his teammates and opponents alike.
After retiring from international cricket, Watson remained involved in the sport. He has contributed his expertise as a coach and mentor to young cricketers, passing on his knowledge and experience to the next generation. Watson’s passion for the game and his dedication to improving others’ skills have made him a respected figure within the cricketing community.
Willie Watson was an esteemed cricketer from New Zealand known for his unique “dibbly, dobbly, wibbly and wobbly” style of bowling. His economical bowling and ability to bowl wicket to wicket made him an invaluable asset to the New Zealand cricket team. Watson’s standout performances in the 1992 World Cup showcased his skills to the international stage and cemented his place in cricketing history.
