I don't like him at all. I concede to your two redeeming characteristics but I certainly can't think of any more!

I know we see him entirely through the Marlows' eyes - but the fact that he calls Karen 'Katie' is quite enough to grate... and the way he treats his children is appalling.

I have read Cricket Term, millions of times, and though he doesn't show any signs of being horrible at all in that, neither does he redeem himself any further as far as I am concerned!