Lives in Cricket No 32 - Eric Rowan

9 Growing Up the best of seasons, as this less-than-complimentary critique in the school magazine shows. ‘Has been both unlucky and disappointing as a bat, but has recently shown signs of recovering form. A much-improved fielder. Very bad between the wickets. With experience should develop into a fine player, but at present lacks the right temperament.’ The last was a criticism he would lay to rest, as he became one of the game’s toughest competitors. Afraid of no one, and able to extract every ounce of ability he possessed, he made himself into one of his country’s most dependable batsmen. Leaving Jeppe in 1925 did not mean the end of his relationship with the school. He continued to play cricket and hockey for their Old Boys’ teams, beginning in 1926 and continuing until 1960. The school later honoured him and his brother Athol by naming their new cricket pavilion ‘The Rowan Room’. Eric’s daughter Diane, assisted by Athol’s daughter Athalie, performed the opening ceremony. Alf Rowan did give his son some advice, ‘Keep your eye on the ball and, when you hit it, hit it hard.’ Alf provided some more primitive instruction following Eric’s first innings for the Jeppe Old Boys. His opposition contained ‘Buster’ Nupen, a master bowler on The 1924 Jeppe Boys High School cricket team with Eric seated on the ground at the far left. [Photo: Jeppe Boys High School]