One of Australian cricket’s biggest larrikins, Doug Walters, celebrates his 70th birthday

GREG Chappell once said the beer-drinking, cigarette-smoking Doug Walters wouldn’t make it past 60. On Monday, one of Australia’s youngest debutants reached 70.

Cricket - SA vs NSW Sheffield Shield match at Adelaide Oval 30 Oct 1980. Doug Walters hits four runs off Peter Sleep. (Pic by staff photographer Bryan Charlton)

AS cult hero Doug Walters celebrated his 70th birthday on Monday several poignant questions hung in the air.

Will we ever see his like again?

Will we ever see a 19-year-old batsman not simply chosen to play a Test for Australia but scoring centuries in his first two Tests (both against England if you don’t mind)?

How could it be that Walters could be so advanced at a young age learning his craft on a mowed strip on his parents dairy farm on which the ball seamed off ant hills?

What does it say about young modern batsmen who have video coaching aids, specially prepared wickets, rookie contracts and specialist coaching and still seem years behind homemade hero Walters in their development?

What it says is this ... Walters was a freak.

A one off. Cricket doesn’t find these players. They find themselves.

Earlier this season Australia was fretting over whether fresh-faced Cam Bancroft was too green for Test cricket yet he is 23 — four years older than Walters when he first played.

In the 50 years since Walters made his Test debut against England at the Gabba Australia has chosen no younger Test debutant than him at 19 years, 354 days though Phillip Hughes, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting were less than a year older.

Doug Walters (2nd from right) during a Toohey's beer advertisement in 1994.

But none of that mattered on Monday as the colourful Doug, who averaged 48 in his 74 Tests, went off to quietly celebrate his milestone.

“I am off for a hair of the dog,’’ he said.

“We had a family do yesterday (Sunday) and I am a bit worse for wear so I am off to drown my sorrows.

“I haven’t heard from many of the cricketers yet. I am particularly keen to hear from Greg Chappell because he once said I would never reach 60.’’

Chappell’s caution was understandable.

At one stage Walters was smoking 60 or more cigarettes a day and it was estimated he smoked at least 700,000 over four decades before giving up on the spot the day he visited a laser therapist.

Chappell did contact Walters later in the day, admitting he had underestimated his teammate’s resilience.

“I remember saying many times that he wouldn’t make 60 and if he did I would take up smoking because it must be good for you,’’ Chappell said.

Steve Waugh (L) with Arthur Morris (C) and Doug Walters at the SCG.

“Doug’s just a great story. With Doug it did not matter if you were Sir Donald Bradman or just a battler he would treat you the same.

“There was never any fuss about him. When he came back to the room after getting out you could not tell whether he made a century or a duck by his demeanour. He was always the same.’’

Walters famously loved a cold beer at any old hour when he played and he still does.

He enjoyed a game of cards so much that once in England on an Ashes tour he threw away his wicket in a county match to retake his position in a card game after having a particularly strong hand.

His popularity with fans and teammates remains strong.

Recently Jeff Thomson rang him from his former home town, Dungog, saying: “I’m just driving from Brisbane to Sydney and thought I would take a detour because I always wanted to see where you were from.’’

Even Walters is unsure when or whether Australia will find someone just like him.

“We just used to play sport all day every day yet that passion seems to be lost. Sport in the bush seems to be dying and not just cricket. Life’s changed a bit.’’

In has indeed but at least we have the memories and with the colourful Walters they are as vivid as ever.

Originally published as One of Australian cricket’s biggest larrikins, Doug Walters, celebrates his 70th birthday