CDCA extends our deepest condolences to family and friends of DOUG BOWDEN who was one of the original members of the Central Districts Plunket Shield team, now known as the Central Stags.

Left-handed opening batsman Bowden played in CD's historic first Plunket Shield match that began 70 seasons ago in a howling northerly on 1 December 1950 at the Basin Reserve, after the Central Districts Association had been formed to break away from Wellington and give Districts players more exposure to playing top flight cricket.

It was a challenging beginning, with the covers mistakenly left off after Wellington had batted on the first day, and rain soaking the deck overnight ahead CD's turn at bat. They were forced to follow on.

Along with former Test representative Ian Leggat, Bowden was one of the last two remaining members of that pioneering side until he passed away in Taupo this week at 93.

At 91, Australia-based Dave Spence now becomes Central's oldest living cricketer - Spence having debuted a few years later than Bowden and Leggat, in the 1955/56 summer.

Palmerston North born-and-bred Bowden was recently interviewed ahead of this weekend's Manawatu Cricket Association 125th jubilee celebrations, and told the Manawatu Standard that CD worked hard to be respected in their own right.

“We had to fight to be recognised,” Bowden said.

“Nobody wanted to know the country team.”

But they quickly became a force to be reckoned with, becoming the Plunket Shield runners-up in 1952/53, and champions the following season.

Bowden played 15 Plunket Shield matches back when there were just a handful of matches each summer; and 16 games in all for CD between 1950 and 1958, including opening the batting against the touring West Indies team in 1956 at Cook's Gardens in Whanganui.

His CD career best was a knock of 60 against Canterbury in 1953/54, among three appearances in the championship-winning season. He finished with 475 first-class career runs overall.

Bowden also played in eight Hawke Cup Challenges for Manawatu between 1945/46 and 1956/57, and later, one for Bay of Plenty, against victors Nelson in 1963/64.

The CD originals were: Doug Bowden, Joe Ongley (captain), Don Beard, Graham Botting (wicketkeeper), Harry Cave, Murray Chapple, Fen Cresswell, Ted Meuli, Lawrie Miller, Tom Reaney and the youngster Ian Leggat.

Article added: Friday 22 January 2021