This is one of the 100 character pen-sketches by Mayukh Ghosh compiled in the recently released book In a League of Their Own, published by Flying Turtle and Cricmash

ALAN DAVIDSON

‘Just one more over, Al’

‘I can't, Richie. I'm done.’

‘But just try another one, Al. That was a beautiful ball that last over you sent down to Bailey. Come on Al, here's the ball.’

‘Where's the ball, Richie? I can't see it.’

Then he would snatch it from Benaud and bowl that over.

Alan Davidson was a great all-rounder. His record speaks for him.

But what he did in Johannesburg in 1957 is important yet little-known.

After three days of cricket, Ian Craig's Australia were 7-307 in reply to South Africa's 470-9 declared.

The players wanted to relax but the manager Jack Norton had imposed a 10 pm curfew. South Africans were also under curfew, but for them it was 11:30 pm.

But that evening, Davidson thought he had had enough of Norton's rules. He told Les Favell, ‘Look, if I don't get out, I'm going to go off my rocker. Let's go out tonight. Bugger the curfew.’

They got a car from Ken Funston and drove 35 miles towards Pretoria for a look-see. Their innocent excursion ended at 1 am.

When they checked with the concierge for their room-key, all they got was a note: ‘Report to me. I've got your keys. Norton.’

They had a rather unprintable discussion. Once it ended, the duo headed for the home of the Rosenbergs, who were local cricket lovers and had entertained the team at dinner the previous night.

They got a bed there.

The next morning, as soon as they reached the ground, one of their teammates said: ‘You two are in trouble. You're on the first plane home.’

Davidson got more determined and bowled like a man who suddenly wished to be considered indispensable. He took three wickets before lunch and then had another meeting with Norton.

He knocked the door, this time with more confidence: ‘I believe you want to see me Jack?’

‘Where were you last night?’

‘I was at the Rosenbergs.’

‘Hmm, that's Favell's story too.’

Davidson went to the window and found Mr Rosenberg.

‘Why don't you ask him?’

‘Well, he says so too. So, I suppose I've got to accept it.’

Davidson took 6-34, thus saving the match and providing empirical evidence that late nights need not impair performance.

The curfew was repealed.

It was Davidson who inspired the likes of Sobers, Botham, and Warne.