Sheffield Cricket Lovers' Society Year Book 2026

Water off a duck’s back for Chris Being the promising offspring of a high profile parent in sport is generally reckoned to be a tough gig. Expectations can weigh heavily and Chris Cowdrey can vouch for that, but he didn’t make a bad fist of it at all. And neither was he found wanting as our guest speaker. “One of our best,” was heard more than once as Chris delivered a dry, and delightfully paced summary of his career, most of his stories being at his own expense. As a man of Kent he was wise to make frequent use of the north/ south divide, opening with a reminder that “I spoke at SCLS once before and am pleased to be back, even though it’s because the Chair said it is because I was crap the first time!” The fact that his former England team-mate and current SCLS President, Darren Gough, was present gave him easy ammunition as he got into his stride. “Goughy and I share an achievement at world level. As you know, he was an aggressive fast bowler who played for England with his heart on his sleeve for many years. “I, on the other hand, was a new boy who batted high-ish and bowled rather wobbly military medium when the quicks needed a rest. That said, we both achieved our first Test and ODI wickets in the first over when on our debuts. “The problem for me was I went on to take only two more Test wickets whilst Darren ended up with hundreds of them!” Chris had been thrust into his Test career in the 1984/5 series in India when skipper David Gower moved him from short-leg to bowl. Bizarrely he bowled Kapil Dev with only his fourth ball - despite forgetting to remove his fielding pads! An injury, then a revolving door selection process, ended his England participation after only six Tests and three ODIs, but he might have had sympathy for selectors when explaining.. “I was picked as Test captain out of desperation really, and at Headingley of all places - great for a man from Kent. It took me three and a half hours to select a team, it was so hard. Selector Peter May said to me, ‘Chris, you don’t look too happy with the team’ and I replied, I’m not, Uncle Peter! “My hero, Viv Richards, was opposition captain and there I was - the England captain - wearing my England jacket, tie and so on, being abused by a section of the Western Terrace. “Then Viv strode down the steps wearing tatty tracksuit bottoms. He was applauded all the way to the wicket and I was still getting stick! Chris’ predicament re his father’s reputation was neatly summed up when he went to watch his own son play a very important school match. The youngster was playing admirably when the opposition coach remarked to Chris, “Isn’t it funny how talent skips a generation?”! “I was picked as Test captain out of desperation” 25