Aussie cricket is in mourning after the loss of Ashes legend Bob Cowper, who passed away at the age of 84.
Cowper died on Saturday morning after a long fight with cancer.
The talented batsman is survived by wife Dale and two daughters Olivia and Sera.
Cowper notched up 27 Tests between 1964 and 1968, scoring 2061 runs at 46.84 including an impressive five centuries.
Cowper was the first cricketer to score a triple-century Down Under during the 1965-66 Ashes series – an epic 12-hour innings that helped Australia retain the Ashes.
The left-hander played his final Test in 1968 during an Ashes Tour, retiring at just 28 to follow a career in business. Cowper went on to be a stockbroker and merchant banker.
Cricket Victoria chair Ross Hepburn spoke of the impact Cowper had on the sport.
Ashes legend Bob Cowper has passed away at the age of 84
Cowper died on Saturday morning after a long fight with cancer
Cowper was the first cricketer to score a triple-century in Australia
‘He was one of our greats – a player of technical excellence and great poise,’ he said.
‘We honour his contribution and the example he set both on and off the field. Our thoughts are with his wife Dale and daughters Olivia and Sera as well as his many friends and team mates.’
Cowper grew up in Melbourne and attended Scotch College before playing for the the Hawthorn-East Melbourne Cricket Club.
His first Test was against England at Leeds in 1964. Cowper was just 23.
Cowper’s incredible batting average of 75.78 runs in Australia is the second-highest ever, behind only the great Sir Donald Bradman.
Cowper became a very successful businessman following his cricket career, spending much of his life in Monaco.
He returned to the sport in later life as an ICC referee – and in 2023 was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in recognition for his outstanding service to cricket.
Cowper is the third Victorian cricket great to pass away in the past six months.
Keith Stackpole died at 84 last month and Ian Redpath died aged 83 late last year.
More to come…
