Watsonians pay tribute after Adair dies at 86
Watsonian Cricket Club have paid tribute to “colossal figure” Brian Adair after he passed away aged 86.
Adair’s love of cricket began at George Watson’s College in Edinburgh and in 1953, after leaving school, he made his debut for the club’s first XI and played for them until 1986, a superb top team career spanning 33 years.
In the 1970s, Adair was the catalyst for the club bringing over professionals, the first being Australian Peter Wishart in 1974.
By that time Adair was in his second spell as captain and the following year another Australian, Kim Hughes, arrived at Myreside. Hughes of course went on to play Test cricket for Australia as did Terry Alderman who also had a spell at the club.
Adair served as the Scottish Cricket Union – now Cricket Scotland – president in 1983 and was chair of that organisation in 1986.
He watched the Watsonian first XI regularly right up until this summer, indeed he was on the boundary edge in Ayr when they were defeated in the Scottish Cup final by Heriot’s in August.
A club statement posted on social media said: “Brian was a colossal figure at the club, playing in over 400 matches for the first XI and captaining the team.
“After his playing days were over, Brian worked tirelessly for the club, serving on the committee for many years and remained our most regular and faithful supporter. In addition to Watsonians, he also made a great contribution to the wider game in Scotland.
“Our thoughts are with his wife Mona, his family and friends to whom we pass our condolences.”