R.I.P - Bob Cowper

"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." – Mike Baird (2025)

Bob Cowper died aged 84 on May 10th, the news was announced yesterday.

"“I’m proud of what I achieved. It was totally different in those days." – Bob Cowper (2003)

Bob Cowper was a hero to many Australian cricket lovers in the 1960s. Cowper had a short career for Australia just 4 years’ worth of test cricket between 1964 and 1968 but this was alongside a Sheffield shield career for Victoria and Western Australia spanning the 60s. He retired to become a stockbroker and eventually a multi-millionaire.

27 Test matches for Australia and 147 First Class Games for Victoria and Western Australia. 2061 Test Runs and 10,595 First Class Runs. The batting allrounder averaged 46.84 in test matches and 53.78 in first class games. Cowper also was a fine finger spinner taking 183 first class wickets.

“He occupied the crease for 12 hours and eight minutes. Most of his runs came from elegant and powerful cover drives, and he played some pull shots that would have done credit to Stan McCabe at his best.’’ – Lindsay Hassett (1966)

Cowper was best remembered for hitting the first test match 300 on Australian soil beating Don Bradman’s 299 not out 35 years prior. Bob’s 307 came of 12hrs and 8 minutes of batting facing 589 deliveries against a Fred Titmus lead England.

As a successful stockbroker he became the first post-test multimillionaire from Australia.

“Bob Cowper, cocooned in concentration, batted on and on and on. Then, after a night’s sleep, he batted on and on again.”  - Ian Wooldridge (1966)

A fine player and businessman, Bob Cowper, Rest in Peace.