kids encyclopedia robot

Alexander Cowie facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Alexander Cowie
Personal information
Full name
Alexander Gordon Cowie
Born (1889-02-27)27 February 1889
Lymington, Hampshire, England
Died 7 April 1916(1916-04-07) (aged 27)
Amarah, Mesopotamia
Batting Right-handed
Bowling Right-arm fast
Domestic team information
Years Team
1910 Hampshire
1910–1911 Cambridge University
Career statistics
Competition FC
Matches 14
Runs scored 98
Batting average 7.00
100s/50s –/–
Top score 28
Balls bowled 1,979
Wickets 58
Bowling average 24.05
5 wickets in innings
10 wickets in match
Best bowling 6/87
Catches/stumpings 6/–
Source: Cricinfo, 1 January 2010

Alexander Gordon Cowie (born February 27, 1889 – died April 7, 1916) was an English cricketer, a soldier, and a poet. He is remembered for his skills in cricket, his service in the British Army during World War I, and a short poem published after his death.

Alexander Cowie: Cricketer, Soldier, Poet

Early Life and Education

Alexander Cowie went to Charterhouse School and then studied at Caius College, Cambridge University. He was a tall and strong right-arm fast bowler. People said he could bowl "alarmingly fast," meaning very quickly and powerfully.

Playing Cricket for Cambridge

He started playing "first-class cricket" for Cambridge University in 1910. First-class cricket is the highest level of the sport played over several days. He was given his "blue," which is a special award for athletes at Cambridge University.

Cowie's Cricket Highlights

Alexander Cowie played 9 first-class matches for Cambridge University in 1910 and 1911. He took 43 wickets during these games. A "wicket" is when a bowler gets a batsman out. His best performance was taking 6 wickets for 87 runs against Sussex. Five of these wickets were taken by bowling the ball directly into the stumps.

Right after that match, he took 5 wickets for 64 runs and 4 wickets for 89 runs. This helped Cambridge win against Yorkshire. Later in 1910, he also played two matches for Hampshire in the County Championship. He took 5 wickets for 94 runs in one of these games. However, his performance was not as strong in 1911.

A Soldier in World War I

When First World War began, Alexander Cowie joined the British Army. He became an officer and rose to the rank of captain in the Seaforth Highlanders. In 1915, he was wounded, but he recovered and returned to duty.

His Final Days and Legacy

Sadly, Alexander Cowie died on April 7, 1916. He was fatally wounded while serving in Mesopotamia. After his death, a short poem he wrote was published. It was called "Lines by Captain Alexander Gordon Cowie, Seaforth Highlanders." This poem has since been included in books of war poetry.

kids search engine
Alexander Cowie Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.