Ernest Cowdrey
Ernest Arthur Cowdrey | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Calcutta, British India |
| Died | October 5, 1954 (aged 52) Sutton, England |
| Occupation(s) | Tea estate proprietor, cricketer |
| Known for | English first-class cricketer; proprietor of a tea estate in British India; father of England Test cricketer Colin Cowdrey |
Ernest Arthur Cowdrey (14 January 1902 – 5 October 1954) was an English first-class cricketer and proprietor of a tea estate in British India. He was the father of the England Test cricketer Colin Cowdrey.
Life and cricket
Cowdrey was born in Calcutta in January 1902 and received his education at Whitgift School, where he demonstrated significant talent in cricket. He advanced through the ranks at Beddington Cricket Club in Surrey, showing promise though he never attained a professional playing career. Following his schooling, he initially worked at a bank in the City of London before transitioning to stockbroking, focusing on tea-related shares. It was at Beddington Cricket Club that he met Kathleen Mary Taylor, whom he married before relocating to India. There, Cowdrey founded a tea plantation situated in the Nilgiri Hills, approximately 100 miles from Bangalore.
In January 1927, he participated in a single first-class cricket match representing the Europeans against the Indians during the Madras Presidency Match held in Madras. In this match, he scored 9 runs in his first innings and remained not out with 27 runs in the second innings. Additionally, he bowled 11 overs but did not claim any wickets. Despite the demanding ten-hour journey over mountainous roads to play club cricket in Madras, Cowdrey maintained his dedication to the sport.
The tea industry faced significant hardships during the Great Depression, with prices dropping by more than half; nonetheless, Cowdrey successfully kept his plantation operational. The outbreak of World War II further complicated matters as numerous young English managers enlisted for military service. In his later years, Cowdrey experienced heart ailments and passed away in Sutton, England, in October 1954.
Family
Cowdrey created a lasting cricketing heritage through his son Colin, who was born on the family’s tea estate in December 1932 and eventually captained England’s Test cricket team. Anecdotes emphasize Cowdrey’s dedication to nurturing Colin’s cricket development, including securing his early membership at the Marylebone Cricket Club. The cricket tradition extended to Colin's sons, Chris and Graham, with Chris also serving as England’s Test captain. This sporting lineage continues with great-grandson Fabian Cowdrey, who has pursued professional cricket.