SIMON HUGHES pays tribute to one of his best friends in cricket and recalls going soft on him at the Benson and Hedges final in 1986
For a few years Graham Cowdrey was my best friend in cricket. His father Colin was my boyhood hero. His was the only autograph I’d ever had. I played against his eldest son Chris and was at university with the middle one Jeremy. But it was when I met Graham, known to everyone as ‘Van’ after his obsession with Van Morrison that I felt I really got to know the Cowdrey dynasty.
Van was perhaps the most talented and yet least confident of the family. He was always self-deprecating which I felt was perhaps his way of coping with being the youngest member of such a famous cricketing family. We bonded in an unlikely yet symbolic place – Bangalore – close to where his father was born.
We were part of an International Ambassadors XI – a team of county and good club players touring India on behalf of the Christians in Sport movement (my only qualification being three years as a – very bad – church organist in my late teens.) We were billeted together in the hotels on our trip.
We talked for hours over endless Mysore coffees about family, cricket and existentialism. I was a confirmed atheist, he veered between numerous beliefs, settling on being a disciple of Morrison. He had bags of tapes of his beloved Irish vocalist and had been to literally hundreds of his concerts. He was deeply affected by his father leaving his mother, Penny, and moving in with Lady Herries, the daughter of the Duchess of Norfolk.
He was uncertain whether to bat in his father’s traditional style or go for the more freewheeling approach of his brother Chris. He was confused about what creed to follow not ultimately helped by my regular assertion that allegiance to any religion caused more problems than it solved. (We were subsequently separated as roomies because I was deemed a ‘bad’ influence).
Scorecard from the 1986 Benson and Hedges final
But our bond held strong and we met up regularly despite being in opposing teams. My affection for him caused my performance to be compromised on the biggest of stages. We faced each other in the 1986 Benson and Hedges final at Lord’s. On a heavily overcast day, Middlesex battled to 199 for 7 in our 55 overs. We took early wickets and reduced Kent to 72 for 5. Graham came in at No.6. He had had a poor season so far and I knew his contract was up at the end of the summer.
I was bowling when he came in. The ball was swinging lavishly and there was a lot of playing and missing. But I wanted him to do well and subconsciously I didn’t run in as hard when he was facing. I didn’t have the heart to get him out early. He got a start and converted it into a belligerent 58, the highest score of the match. It gave Kent a very real chance of winning until I had him rather fortuitously caught at mid-wicket with 22 required.
I managed to hold my nerve in the pouring rain (evidenced by the smudges on my father’s scorecard, pictured above) to defend 14 off the last over and Middlesex sneaked home. But I was happier about Graham’s performance. It saved his career and he played for Kent for another 10 years, without ever gaining major recognition.
We remained close and went on another India tour together and he often used to invite me into the Kent dressing room even after I’d retired. He had a house on the Duchess of Norfolk’s estate at Arundel and I stayed there a few times.
Living in a neighbouring property, his father still had a considerable presence which Graham nonchalantly played down but I think it affected him deeply. I sensed he felt he had not quite lived up to the family name. In fact, his honesty, generosity, spirit and total unselfishness enhanced it. He had so much left to give and was taken far too young.
Posted by Peter Skinner on 08/04/2021 at 13:07
What a marvellous tribute. Makes me feel i would love to have known him.
Posted by David Rimmer on 16/11/2020 at 00:29
It was a shock to hear about Graham Cowdrey whom I had first heard about in my schooldays. Cowdrey probably suffered from being compared with his famous father, the late Sir Colin Cowdrey. Having said that the comparison was more used between his father and Graham’s older sibling, Chris. I remember reading how Chris was determined to exhibit a different style to his play than Colin _ hence his decision to concentrate on the leg side. It was therefore illuminating to read about Graham’s search for his imprint. Simon Hughes’ tribute is eloquent and heartfelt. Hughes’ recollection and the rain spattered scorecard of the 1986 Benson and Hedges Final brought a few memories back to me. It was a certainly a dull day and I do recall being very proud of Andrew Miller (whom I went to school with) for playing so grittily at the top of the order for 37. I have digressed. Hughes’ honesty about how he rooted for Graham Cowdrey that day may seem very odd to the casual observer. Professional sport even in the 1980s was meant to be about winning and showing no sentiment. In my humble estimation Hughes’ emotions that day were understandable not least because of his regard for Colin Cowdrey as a player. As Hughes stated it was a major knock for Cowdrey's career. It was pleasing that Hughes and Graham Cowdrey forged a bond in the years to come. The half century Graham Cowdrey made in that final was a stirring knock but should be seen in context. Despite being a prolific schoolboy batsman at Tonbridge, he had to bide his time at Kent. He spent at least two years in the second team (1983 and 1984) before he gradually broke through into the first team, from memory more via limited overs cricket. The batting talent at Canterbury _ Bob Woolmer, Chris Tavare, Mark Benson, Neil Taylor, Derek Aslett, Chris Cowdrey and Simon Hinks was long when G Cowdrey first joined the staff. It is a credit to Cowdrey’s patience and talent that he got through in the end. He excited cricket lovers with his strokeplay and gave much to the game. He also had a hinterland, not least Van Morrison. That is important too. His death at age just 56 is so sad and life did not deal him an easy hand after his playing career. People who think those who enjoy a gilded path if they have a private education are wrong. Life does not always work like that. Born eight days after Boris Johnson, Graham Cowdrey had a worthy life and also a tougher one than the former has had.
Posted by Chris Coke on 13/11/2020 at 18:35
What a human and imaginative tribute to Graham. I am sure the family will be pleased as indicated by his sister Carol and he would have been flattered.
Posted by Chris Coke on 13/11/2020 at 16:31
What a lovely warm human tribute to Graham. I am sure he would have been flattered and proud .
Posted by John Hurst on 13/11/2020 at 09:09
From the day I met Graham I liked him . He was unpretentious talented and warm hearted . Like all cricket lovers I was in owe of the Cowdrey dynasty a legacy that will live forever . I was lucky enough to meet and shoot with Colin and discover what a gentle and kind man he was . I have also met Chris and Jeremy so , wonderful to find all four to be so humane and friendly people . Thank you for such a lovely appraisal of a life well lived and an example to us all . Go well my friend .
Posted by Carol Keith on 11/11/2020 at 20:53
Thank you Simon for this wonderful article about my brother Graham. He was funny, kind, generous and was always interested in anyone he met... any age... wanting to learn about their lives. He leaving has left a permanent whole in my life. But he will have been given a very warm welcome by so many wonderful people in heaven... and I love that!! Dad will be so keen to catch up on the cricket!
Posted by John wrench on 11/11/2020 at 20:02
Lovely tribute from you Simon , took my late father to the Lords ' final in 1986, amazing how the game managed to finish , disappointed with the result that day have the programme in my loft somewhere.
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.