Potentially one of the most effective bowlers of the 1990s, Geoff Allott was defeated by a persistent back injury - but still left his mark on the game. Ironically, his only world record was as a batsman when he took 101 minutes over a runless innings. But Allott also had a starring role as a left-arm medium-fast bowler in the 1999 World Cup, setting a new record of 20 wickets in the seamer-friendly competition, a figure later equalled by Shane Warne from one extra match. In his early days Allott tried to be a top-speed bounce bowler, but later concentrated on making the ball swing. Best of all, Allott had a big heart, and would toil away selflessly on the most unresponsive pitches, and he was a much better batsman than that long duck innings would suggest.
Don Cameron