Mike Watkinson was a valuable allrounder - a useful seamer who later turned to offspin, and an aggressive lower middle-order batsman - who was a key member of the Lancashire side which enjoyed success in the 1990s. International recognition came late - he was a week shy of 34 when first picked in 1995 - but he turned in two solid performances against West Indies (and a third less impressive one at The Oval) that won him selection for the winter's tour of South Africa. But he was a peripheral figure on the tour, playing further one Test and one ODI, and he returned to the county ranks, moving seamlessly into the role of county coach after retiring. He was drafted in as England's bowling coach for the tour to Bangladesh in 2003-04 and worked alongside Duncan Fletcher for two winters. His coaching credentials were boosted by Lancashire's production line of England quicks - Andrew Flintoff, James Anderson and Sajid Mahmood - but domestic success proved elusive for Watkinson. After six years as coach, he moved into a new role as Lancashire's Director of Cricket in 2008.
Cricinfo staff December 2008