A skilled and combative batsman, Denis Atkinson produced just a solitary Test century but that was a marathon double ton which was part of a record-creating partnership for the seventh wicket – a feat that’s unbroken till date. That game was further memorable due to the match haul of seven scalps, comfortably making it Atkinson’s finest game of his career as a batting all-rounder. His batting wasn’t much about flair, rather it focused on grinding out the bowlers and feasting on them once they were fatigued. Having a reasonably solid technique also helped. With the ball, Atkinson could dish out an assortment of medium pace and off-breaks, depending on the demands of the surface. Fitness concerns, primarily shoulder niggles affected him a lot as he aged. Apart from being a resourceful cricketer, Atkinson also had a great eye for talent. Sir Garry Sobers was first spotted by him and it was his insistence that saw the legendary-all-rounder-to-be to bowl more. Atkinson’s brother also played Tests and coincidentally, his sibling’s debut game was his swansong.

Written by Hariprasad Sadanandan