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Kevin Douglas Walters, a true cricket legend, represented Australia in 75 Test matches scoring 5,357 runs with a top score of 250 runs.
He made his first class debut at the tender age of 17 and went from strength to strength, representing Australia only two years later against England. In what should have been a nerve-racking Test debut for Doug, he was incredible, smashing his second delivery for four runs en-route to an astounding 155. Another century followed in the next Test.
At 19 he was the third youngest player to score a Test century. Other highlights of his international career include a double century (242) and a century (103) in the same match against the West Indies at the SCG in 1968-69. He also scored 100 runs in a single session on three occasions. When his career ended, Doug’s average stood at 48.26 with 33 half-centuries and 15 centuries.
Doug was a true blue Australian, just as happy with a cold beer in his hand as he was acknowledging the crowd's applause for another great century or incredible six. Hailing from the small country town of Dungog, he was known for being one of the biggest hitters the game has ever seen. Whilst still a teenager Doug smashed a six completely out of the SCG grounds. The ball continued across Driver Avenue before stopping just metres from the Kippax Lake.
His value to a team was more than his on-field brilliance. This is supported by Rick McCosker who believed Doug had “the priceless ability to lift a team either by a particular performance or a timely moment of humour.”
Doug made 103 appearances for NSW hitting 6,612 runs with a top score of 253. In 1980-81 he was awarded a special benefit season to honour his tremendous service to NSW Cricket over an extraordinary 20 year representative career.
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