John Russell Watkins (born 16 April 1943) is a former Australian cricketer who played in one Test match in 1973.
[5][6] The same summer he played for Northern New South Wales, making 81 as an opener in a game against Southern NSW.
[12] In 1962–63 he scored 94 in a colts game against Queensland, taking part in a century plus stand with Doug Walters.
However he came to national prominence when he represented Northern New South Wales in a non-first-class match against the touring Indian side in 1967–68.
[20] He represented Northern NSW against the touring English side in 1970–71 but had less success than against the Indians, taking three expensive wickets.
[21][22] In 1971–72 Watkins took 4-99 for Northern NSW against the touring World XI, including the wicket of Graeme Pollock.
[23] He played for NSW against "The Thrashers" that summer and took 4-19 including the wickets of Richie Benaud and Neil Harvey.
[30] It was Watkins' 6 for 38 to bowl Northern New South Wales to victory against the touring Pakistan side[31] that led the national selectors to choose him as the only spinner for the Third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground a month later, after only five first-class matches in which he had taken 10 wickets at 39.00.
)[32] Ashley Mallett had withdrawn from the side for business reasons and the selectors had elected to take three leg spinners on the tour to the West Indies: Watkins, Terry Jenner and Kerry O'Keeffe.
[35][36] Prior to his Test debut Rohan Rivett wrote that: There will be a lot of sympathy for Watkins when he takes the field tomorrow.
Happily, Messrs Harvey, Loxton and Ridings know their own minds and stuck to their decision so Watkins will have his big chance tomorrow against an array of experienced batsmen of the highest class, who have been playing good spin bowling since they left school.
Those who watched Watkins' performance at the MCG for NSW against Victoria at Christmas do not agree with the pundits who have criticised his selection.
"[1] The tour of the West Indies began poorly for Australia, with injuries to Bob Massie and Dennis Lillee resulting in a very real chance Watkins could play a Test.
In the match against Trinidad and Tobago, Doug Walters mischievously suggested to Watkins that he might relax if he whistled "What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor?"