William Downes (cricketer)
 Newspaper drawing of Downes in 1889 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: ESPNcricinfo, 14 April 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
William Fowles Downes (1843 – 1 January 1896) was a New Zealand cricketer. He played nine first-class matches for Otago between 1865 and 1876.[1][2]
Life and career
[edit]Downes was born in Nantwich, Cheshire, and went to Australia with his family. He later moved on to New Zealand, attracted by the Otago gold rush of 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 historian Tom Reese described 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 dismiss Canterbury for 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 the Bank of New South Wales in Wanganui, 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 in Lawrence, Otago, before transferring to New Plymouth in 1884.[8] In its brief notice of his death, The Feilding Star called 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. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
- ^ William Downes, CricketArchive. Retrieved 30 October 2022. (subscription required)
- ^ a b c d "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. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- ^ "Otago v Canterbury 1875-76". CricketArchive. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- ^ "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.