Alan Watt (cricketer)

{{short description|English cricketer}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2016}}

{{Use British English|date=March 2016}}

{{Infobox cricketer

| name = Alan Watt

| image =

| fullname = Alan Edward Watt

| birth_date = {{birth date|1907|6|19|df=y}}

| birth_place = Limpsfield Chart, Surrey, England

| death_date = {{death date and age|1974|2|3|1907|6|19|df=y}}

| death_place = Pembury, Kent, England

| batting = Right-handed

| bowling = Right arm fast-medium

| club1 = Kent

| year1 = 1929–1939

| columns = 1

| column1 = First-class

| matches1 = 230

| runs1 = 4,100

| bat avg1 = 13.99

| 100s/50s1 = 0/10

| top score1 = 96

| deliveries1 = 38,586

| wickets1 = 610

| bowl avg1 = 28.82

| fivefor1 = 34

| tenfor1 = 6

| best bowling1 = 8/100

| catches/stumpings1 = 134/–

| date = 26 February

| year = 2010

| source = https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/33/33676/33676.html CricketArchive

}}

Alan Edward Watt (19 June 1907 – 3 February 1974) was an English cricketer. A fast-medium bowler and aggressive lower-order batsman, Watt made 230 appearances in first-class cricket, in the most part for Kent County Cricket Club.Carlaw D (2020) Kent County Cricketers A to Z. Part Two: 1919–1939, pp. 157–161. ([https://archive.acscricket.com/books/Kent_Cricketers_A_to_Z_Part_Two.pdf Available online] at the Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians. Retrieved 8 August 2022.)

Born in Limpsfield Chart, Watt's first-class career began while Kent's star spin bowler Tich Freeman was at the height of his powers. Watt was therefore used primarily to take the shine off the ball in preparation for Freeman's imminent bowling spell.{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/228559.html|title=Obituaries in 1974|year=1975|work=Wisden Cricketers' Almanack|publisher=John Wisden & Co|accessdate=26 February 2010}} After the retirement of Freeman, Watt struck up an effective opening bowling partnership with all-rounder Leslie Todd, and took 108 wickets in the 1937 season. A tireless bowler, Watt could achieve late swing, which accounted for many of his victims.

As a batsman, Watt was renowned as an aggressive player, forming a trio with Middlesex's Jim Smith and Somerset's Arthur Wellard well known for hitting sixes. Watt and Wellard would both play for the London Counties cricket team during the Second World War, entertaining crowds during the 1941 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151869.html|title=Notes – Leslie Compton Impresses|last=Robertson-Glasgow|first=R. C.|year=1942|work=Wisden Cricketers' Almanack|publisher=John Wisden & Co|accessdate=26 February 2010}} Technically Watt excelled with the drive and the pull.

Later in life he kept the Star Inn in Matfield, before he died in Pembury Hospital in 1974.