William Downes (cricketer)
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Full name | William Fowles Downes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | 1843 Nantwich,Cheshire,England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Died | 1 January 1896 (aged 52–53) Wanganui,New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic team information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Years | Team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1865/66–1875/76 | Otago | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Career statistics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Source:ESPNcricinfo,14 April 2019 |
William Fowles Downes(1843 – 1 January 1896) was a New Zealandcricketer.He played ninefirst-classmatches forOtagobetween 1865 and 1876.[1][2]
Life and career
[edit]Downes was born inNantwich,Cheshire,and went to Australia with his family. He later moved on to New Zealand, attracted by theOtago gold rushof the 1860s.[3]Described as a man of "commanding presence, fine physique and genial nature", he began playing for Otago soon after his arrival.[3]
The New Zealand cricket historianTom Reesedescribed Downes as "the best bowler in New Zealand before 1876... a medium-fast bowler with a splendid length and a considerable leg-twist".[4]In 1866–67 he took 6 for 8 and 4 for 14 to dismissCanterburyfor 25 and 32 and give Otago an innings victory.[5]In his last first-class match, in 1875–76, he took 7 for 38 and 3 for 53, but this time Canterbury won.[6]
Downes was the manager of theBank of New South WalesinWanganui,where he died after a long illness on 1 January 1896.[7]He had worked for the bank for 30 years, and as manager of the Wanganui branch for six.[3]His longest stay at one branch of the bank was 16 years inLawrence,Otago,before transferring toNew Plymouthin 1884.[8]In its brief notice of his death,The Feilding Starcalled him "one of the most sterling men in the colony".[9]Twice married, he left a widow, three sons and three daughters.[3]
References
[edit]- ^"William Downes".ESPN Cricinfo.Retrieved8 May2016.
- ^William Downes,CricketArchive. Retrieved 30 October 2022.(subscription required)
- ^abcd"Mr W. F. Downes".Wanganui Herald:3. 2 January 1896.
- ^"Otago cricket history".Evening Star:4. 30 October 1934.
- ^"Canterbury v Otago 1866-67".CricketArchive.Retrieved14 April2019.
- ^"Otago v Canterbury 1875-76".CricketArchive.Retrieved14 April2019.
- ^"Death of Mr. W. F. Downes".Wanganui Chronicle:3. 2 January 1896.
- ^"Testimonial to Mr. W. F. Downes".Taranaki Herald:2. 28 March 1884.
- ^"Local and General News".Feilding Star:2. 2 January 1896.