Lives in Cricket No 32 - Eric Rowan

14 impress the selectors. After OFS had been disposed of for 70, Eric came out to open the batting with Louis Duffus, better known as South Africa’s finest cricket writer, but a player good enough to play a few games for Transvaal. The pair put on 122 before Duffus was dismissed for 48, his highest first-class score. Joined by Ronnie Grieveson (94) in a second-wicket partnership of 209, Eric was eventually removed for 168 and for most people he had done enough to gain selection, ending the season with 408 runs at 51.00 It proved to be the case and when the South African side to tour England was announced, Eric Rowan’s name was among the chosen. As a player brought up on matting surfaces and with little experience of turf pitches, how would he cope with the very different conditions he was likely to encounter? Growing Up