Colin Cowdrey

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Michael Colin Cowdrey, Baron Cowdrey of Tonbridge, Kt (December 24, 1932 - December 4, 2000) was an English cricketer, born in Putumala (India). His father deliberately named him Michael Colin Cowdrey, to give him the same initials as cricket's former governing body (Marylebone Cricket Club). He became the youngest player ever to represent his school at Lord's when in 1946 he represented Tonbridge School aged 13. Four years later he made his first class debut for Kent County Cricket Club, where he would remain a player until his retirement in 1976. He was appointed captain in 1956. In 1970 he led Kent to their first County Championship since 1913.

Related Topics:
December 24 - 1932 - December 4 - 2000 - Cricketer - Putumala - India - Marylebone Cricket Club - Lord's - Tonbridge School - Kent

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Colin Cowdrey was appointed England Captain in 1959 for a Test match against the country of his birth, and became captain on a regular basis during the 1960s.

Related Topics:
England - Test match

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In 1963, facing the West Indies in a Lord's Test match, he came in to bat with a broken wrist in plaster (fortunately he did not have to face a ball; if it had been necessary, he said he would have done so holding the bat with one hand). Had he not batted, England would have lost, but his appearance caused the match to be drawn. He played his final Test against Australia in 1974-5. Cowdrey briefly held the world record for runs scored in a Test career between 1970-71 and 1971-72, before it was bettered by Garry Sobers{{ref|7624}}. Cowdrey ended his career with 7624 Test runs.

Related Topics:
West Indies - Australia - Garry Sobers

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Following his retirement in 1976, Colin Cowdrey worked closely behind the scenes at Kent, became President of the MCC in 1986 and was later chairman of the International Cricket Council. He was President of Kent County Cricket Club in 2000.

Related Topics:
International Cricket Council - Kent County Cricket Club

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Colin Cowdrey was awarded a knighthood in 1992 and became Lord Cowdrey of Tonbridge in 1997, on the recommendation of outgoing Prime Minister John Major. While many cricketers have been awarded a knighthood, Cowdrey was one of only two to be given a life peerage for their services to cricket (the other being Learie Constantine).

Related Topics:
Knighthood - Lord - John Major - Learie Constantine

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Cowdrey was twice married, first to Penny Chiesman (1956-1985) (with whom he had four children: Christopher, Jeremy, Carol and Graham) and then in 1985 to the Baroness Herries of Terregles, the eldest daugher of the 16th Duke of Norfolk. Two of his sons (Christopher and Graham) became successful professional cricketers themselves.

Related Topics:
Penny Chiesman - 1956 - 1985 - Christopher - Baroness Herries of Terregles - Duke of Norfolk

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He died in his sleep in December 2000, aged 67, having suffered a stroke earlier that year. His memorial service at Westminster Abbey on March 30, 2001 was attended by many luminaries of the game of cricket and the tribute was given by John Major.

Related Topics:
Stroke - Westminster Abbey - John Major

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