Legendary Australian cricketer remembered for historic MCG triple ton and remarkable Test career
Bob Cowper, the former Australian Test cricketer renowned for scoring a historic triple century against England in 1966, has passed away at the age of 84, Cricket Australia confirmed on Sunday, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Cowper represented Australia in 27 Test matches between 1964 and 1968, amassing 2,061 runs at an exceptional average of 46.84. A right-handed batter known for his calm temperament and elegant shot-making, Cowper also contributed with the ball, taking 36 wickets with his part-time off-spin.
His career-defining moment came in February 1966, when he scored a marathon 307 against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, batting for over 12 hours and facing 589 balls. The innings remains one of the most iconic in Australian cricket history, being only the 10th triple century in Test history and the only one on Australian soil in the 20th century.
Bob Cowper was the first to score a triple century in a Test match on Australian soil — a feat that stood unmatched in the country for the rest of the 20th century.
His outstanding home record saw him average 75.78 on Australian pitches, a number second only to the legendary Don Bradman. Despite his relatively short Test career, Cowper left an indelible mark on the game.
After retiring from cricket in 1968, Cowper pursued a successful career in stockbroking but remained involved in the sport, later serving as an ICC match referee. In 2023, his contributions to cricket were formally recognised when he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia.
Cricket Australia Chairman Mike Baird paid tribute to Cowper, saying: “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.”
Bob Cowper is survived by his wife Dale and daughters Olivia and Sera.
