Aussie Ashes legend Bob Cowper dies aged 84 after cancer battle as tributes pour in for ‘enormously talented’ cricketer
AUSTRALIAN cricket legend Bob Cowper has passed away at the age of 84.
The former Ashes star died on Saturday morning after a long battle with cancer.
Cowper, one of the most technically gifted batsmen of his era, is survived by wife Dale and daughters Olivia and Sera.
A mainstay of the Australian Test side between 1964 and 1968, Cowper racked up 2061 runs across 27 matches at a formidable average of 46.84 – including five centuries.
Cowper carved out his place in history with a legendary 12-hour 307 against England at the MCG in 1966 – the highest Test innings on Aussie soil at the time and the only triple-century Down Under until Matthew Hayden’s 380 in 2003.
The sport is now in mourning as tributes pour in for the late Test great.
Cricket Australia said in a statement: “Cowper was an enormously talented left-hand batter renowned for his elegant stroke play, his patience at the crease and his ability to amass big totals.”
Test legend Kerry O’Keeffe posted a simple tribute on X: “R.I.P Bob Cowper. Good man. Lived like an amateur, played like a pro.”
Cricket Victoria chair Ross Hepburn said: “He was one of our greats – a player of technical excellence and great poise.
“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 was also a useful part-time offspinner, taking 36 wickets in Tests and 183 across his 147 first-class matches, most of which he played for Victoria between 1959-60 and 1969-70.
He smashed 10,595 runs at an average of 53.78 with 26 centuries in the longer format.
His Test career ended early – aged just 28 – as he turned his focus to stockbroking and merchant banking.
Born in Melbourne, Cowper attended Scotch College and played club cricket for Hawthorn-East Melbourne.
He made his Test debut at Leeds in 1964 aged just 23 and retired four years later after another Ashes tour.
His average of 75.78 in Tests played on Australian soil remains the second-highest in history – bettered only by Sir Donald Bradman.
Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird said: “Bob was a wonderful batter who will always be remembered for his famous triple century at the MCG, as well as his strong influence in the Australian and Victorian teams of the 1960s.
“He was also a significant contributor to cricket in other roles including as an ICC match referee and his wisdom was always keenly sought.”
In 2023, Cowper was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his outstanding service to the game.
He is the third Victorian great to pass away in recent months, following Keith Stackpole and Ian Redpath.
Earlier this year, former England fast bowler Peter Lever died at the age of 84 following a short illness.
Lever was part of the England team that won the Ashes in Australia in 1970-71 under captain Raymond Illingworth on his Test debut aged 30.
Lancastrian Lever, who was nicknamed ‘Plank,’ first played for England earlier in 1970, against a Rest of World XI, matches that were eventually stripped of Test status.
Overall, the Yorkshire-born bowler took 41 wickets in 17 Tests and 11 more in 10 one-day internationals.
He played for Lancashire between 1960 and 1976, and was inducted into their Hall of Fame after taking 796 wickets across 301 first-class matches.
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