Graham Robert Cowdrey

27 June 1964 – 11 November 2020 

Kent

Right hand bat
First-class span 1984-1998

Gaining the nickname “Van” for his love of the musician Van Morrison, Graham Cowdrey followed in his famous father’s footsteps; attending Tonbridge school and playing his entire career for Kent. 

Making his debut for Kent at the age of 20, he had previously made one appearance for Young England as a teenager. Despite not joining his father and brother, Lord Cowdrey and Chris Cowdrey in playing for England, he had a long and successful career at county level. An aggressive middle-order batter, he was awarded his county cap in 1988. In 1992 he helped Kent to second place in the County Championship scoring 1,291 runs at an average of 53.85. 

Later in his career he found better form in the one-day game. In 1995 he played a key role in the Kent side which won the AXA Equity & Law League trophy, finishing the tournament as Kent’s highest run scorer, hitting two centuries along the way and finishing with an average 53.90. He also helped Kent reach the final of the Benson & Hedges Cup. Also in 1995, he and Aravinda de Silva achieved a partnership of 368, the highest fourth wicket stand for Kent and until 2017 the record partnership for the club. 

Known for his friendly demeanour and great sense of humour, Cowdrey was a popular player for the county. His benefit year came in 1997 and he retired a year later in 1998, having amassed exactly 14,000 runs for the county. Upon retirement he stayed in cricket working as a Cricket Liaison Officer for the England and Wales Cricket Board.