Paul Allott
CountryEngland
FullnamePaul John Walter Allott
Birth date14 September 1956 (age 69)
Birth placeAltrincham, England
Heightft6
Heightinch4
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm fast-medium
RoleBowler
Internationaltrue
Testdebutdate13 August
Testdebutyear1981
TestdebutagainstAustralia
Testcap491
Lasttestdate6 August
Lasttestyear1985
LasttestagainstAustralia
Odidebutdate13 February
Odidebutyear1982
OdidebutagainstSri Lanka
Odicap63
Lastodidate3 June
Lastodiyear1985
LastodiagainstAustralia
Club 1Lancashire
Year 11978–1992
Club 2MCC
Year 21982–1985
Club 3Wellington
Year 31985/86–1986/87
Club 4Staffordshire
Year 41993
Columns4
Column 1Test
Matches 113
Runs 1213
Bat avg 114.20
100s/50s 10/1
Top score 152*
Deliveries 12,225
Wickets 126
Bowl avg 141.69
Fivefor 11
Tenfor 10
Best bowling 16/61
Catches/stumpings 14/–
Column 2ODI
Matches 213
Runs 215
Bat avg 23.00
100s/50s 20/0
Top score 28
Deliveries 2819
Wickets 215
Bowl avg 236.80
Fivefor 20
Tenfor 20
Best bowling 23/41
Catches/stumpings 22/–
Column 3FC
Matches 3245
Runs 33,360
Bat avg 316.96
100s/50s 30/10
Top score 388
Deliveries 338,927
Wickets 3652
Bowl avg 325.55
Fivefor 330
Tenfor 30
Best bowling 38/48
Catches/stumpings 3136/–
Column 4LA
Matches 4291
Runs 4878
Bat avg 411.55
100s/50s 40/0
Top score 443
Deliveries 413,939
Wickets 4321

Paul John Walter Allott (born 14 September 1956) is a former English cricketer who played county cricket for Lancashire, Minor Counties cricket for Staffordshire and first-class cricket in New Zealand for Wellington, as well as thirteen Test match appearances and thirteen One Day International appearances for England.

He was a powerfully built, skilful right-arm medium-fast swing bowler,[1] who could also bat adequately at number 9. He was part of a Lancashire side that was successful in List A cricket, winning five trophies between 1984 and 1990, including the Refuge Assurance League in 1989. Allott helped to clinch the latter triumph with some late order hitting in the deciding fixture.[2]

A consistent county performer, he was at his best in English conditions, but lacked that extra zip to enjoy more than a respectable Test career.[1] He scored his maiden first-class half century on his Test debut against Australia at Old Trafford in 1981, also taking four wickets in the match. For three years he was in and out of the side, then had his best Test series in 1984 against the West Indies, taking his best Test figures of 6/61 at Headingley. However, England lost every match in that series. He was forced home from the 1984–85 tour of India due to back trouble, and this effectively curtailed his progression in the Test match arena. He struggled in his last test series against Australia in 1985, and was replaced with Richard Ellison, who was instantly more successful. Sheepishly, he recollected: "They dropped me and picked Richard Ellison, so in a way I won the Ashes for England".[3] In Tests he took 26 wickets at 41.69 each.[1]

Allott left his job as a commentator for Sky Sports to become director of cricket at Lancashire for the 2018 season. He left this role at the end of the 2021 season.[4]

References

  1. ^ Bateman, Colin (1993). If The Cap Fits. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 14, 109. ISBN 1-869833-21-X.
  2. ^ "Lancashire v Surrey at Manchester". Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  3. ^ "England's last hurrah". Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  4. ^ "Chilton to succeed Allott for Lancashire". BBC Sport. 2021-10-01. Retrieved 2022-06-19.