Ernest Cowdrey facts for kids

Ernest Arthur Cowdrey (born January 14, 1902 – died October 5, 1954) was an English cricket player. He played a type of cricket called first-class cricket. Ernest was also a tea plantation owner in British India. He is well-known as the father of Colin Cowdrey, who became a famous England Test cricketer.

Ernest Cowdrey's Early Life and Cricket

Ernest Arthur Cowdrey was born in Calcutta, British India, in January 1902. His father was Ernest Charles Cowdrey. Ernest went to Whitgift School in England. There, he played cricket and showed a lot of talent. He moved up through different age groups at the Beddington Cricket Club in Surrey.

Ernest really wanted to play cricket professionally. However, he didn't reach that level. After school, he first worked at a bank in London. Later, he became a stockbroker, buying and selling shares in tea companies.

Moving to India and Playing Cricket

Ernest met his future wife, Kathleen Mary Taylor, at the Beddington Cricket Club. After they got married, the couple moved to India. Ernest started his own tea plantation high up in the Nilgiri Mountains. This was about 100 miles from Bangalore.

While in India, he played first-class cricket for the Europeans cricket team. He played one match against the Indians in January 1927. This game took place in Madras as part of the Madras Presidency Matches.

Ernest's Only First-Class Match

In this match, Ernest batted twice. In the first innings, he scored 9 runs before being out. In the second innings, he scored 27 runs and was not out. He also bowled 11 overs in the Indians' first innings but did not take any wickets.

Ernest loved cricket so much that he would often drive ten hours to Madras. He did this just to play club cricket. The roads in the mountains were narrow and not paved, making the journey quite dangerous.

Challenges and Later Life

The Great Depression in the 1930s was very tough for the tea industry. Tea prices dropped by more than half. But Ernest managed to keep his plantation going. The Second World War also affected the plantation. Many young English managers left to join the war effort.

Later in his life, Ernest had heart problems. He passed away in England in October 1954, in Sutton.

A Family of Cricketers

Ernest Cowdrey started a famous cricketing family. His son, Colin Cowdrey, was born at the tea plantation in December 1932. Colin grew up to be a very important cricketer. He even became captain of the England Test team.

Many stories are told about Ernest's strong desire for Colin to become a professional cricketer. One story says he wrote to a friend in England soon after Colin was born. He asked his friend to put Colin's name down for membership at the Marylebone Cricket Club.

Generations of Cricketers

Colin Cowdrey had two sons who also played cricket: Chris Cowdrey and Graham Cowdrey. Chris also played for England and even captained the Test team. The cricketing tradition continued into the next generation. Ernest's great-grandson, Fabian Cowdrey, also became a cricketer.