Robert Maskew ‘Bob’ Cowper OAM (’57), Scotch’s 11th Test cricket player, died on 10 May 2025.
He was Scotch’s last living Test cricketer.
Bob attended Scotch from 1952 to 1958, playing cricket and football, but particularly excelling at cricket. He was vice-captain of the winning 1953 Under 13a cricket team, captain of the winning Under 14a cricket team, a member of the premiership 1955 and 1956 1st XI, captain of the 1957 1st XI and captain of the premiership 1958 1st XI. He played in the 1957 1st XVIII and captained the premiership 1958 1st XVIII.
A 1956 Probationer and 1957 Prefect, Bob was 1958 Vice-Captain of Scotch.
Bob played Test cricket for Australia, debuting in the Leeds Test of 2-6 July 1964, which Australia won. A talented left-handed batsman and finger spinner, Bob is best-known for scoring 307 against England at the MCG between 12 and 14 February 1966, including 20 fours. It was the first triple century Test innings in Australia, and it is still the highest Test score by an Australian at the MCG.
In 27 Test matches Bob made 2,061 runs at an average of 46.84, taking 36 wickets at an average of 31.63. His best bowling was 7/135. Bob’s final Test match was also at Leeds, between 25 and 30 July 1968.
Bob also played 66 matches for Victoria (1959-60 to 1969-70), winning the 1970 Sheffield Shield. He also played three matches for Western Australia (1968-69). Bob’s first-class record was 228 innings in 147 matches for 10,595 runs at an average of 53.78. He scored 26 centuries, 58 half-centuries and took 151 catches, with 183 wickets at an average of 31.19 and best bowling of 7/42.
Behind the scenes, Bob played a key role in establishing World Series Cricket, was a match referee for two Tests (1992) and 12 One Day Internationals (1992-93) and represented the Australian Cricket Board at the International Cricket Conference (1987-96).
In 2023 he was aptly awarded the OAM for service to cricket.
