William Downes
Newspaper drawing of Downes in 1889
Personal information
Full name
William Fowles Downes
Born1843
Nantwich, Cheshire, England
Died1 January 1896 (aged 52–53)
Wanganui, New Zealand
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1865/66–1875/76Otago
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 9
Runs scored 102
Batting average 7.28
100s/50s 0/0
Top score 22
Balls bowled 1,473
Wickets 60
Bowling average 7.00
5 wickets in innings 5
10 wickets in match 2
Best bowling 7/38
Catches/stumpings 8/–
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 14 April 2019

William Fowles Downes (1843 – 1 January 1896) was a New Zealand cricketer. He played nine first-class matches for Otago between 1865 and 1876.[1][2]

Life and career

Downes was born in Nantwich, Cheshire, and went to Australia with his family. He later moved on to New Zealand, attracted by the Otago Gold Rush of the 1860s.[3] Described as a man of "commanding presence, fine physique and genial nature", he began playing for Otago soon after his arrival.[3]

The New Zealand cricket historian Tom Reese described Downes as "the best bowler in New Zealand before 1876 ... a medium-fast bowler with a splendid length and a considerable leg-twist".[4] In 1866–67 he took 6 for 8 and 4 for 14 to dismiss Canterbury for 25 and 32 and give Otago an innings victory.[5] In his last first-class match, in 1875–76, he took 7 for 38 and 3 for 53, but this time Canterbury won.[6]

Downes was the manager of the Bank of New South Wales in Wanganui, where he died after a long illness on 1 January 1896.[7] He had worked for the bank for 30 years, and as manager of the Wanganui branch for six.[3] His longest stay at one branch of the bank was 16 years in Lawrence, Otago, before transferring to New Plymouth in 1884.[8] In its brief notice of his death, The Feilding Star called him "one of the most sterling men in the colony".[9] Twice married, he left a widow, three sons and three daughters.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "William Downes". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  2. ↑ William Downes, CricketArchive. Retrieved 30 October 2022. (subscription required)
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Mr W. F. Downes". Wanganui Herald: 3. 2 January 1896.
  4. ↑ "Otago cricket history". Evening Star: 4. 30 October 1934.
  5. ↑ "Canterbury v Otago 1866-67". CricketArchive. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  6. ↑ "Otago v Canterbury 1875-76". CricketArchive. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  7. ↑ "Death of Mr. W. F. Downes". Wanganui Chronicle: 3. 2 January 1896.
  8. ↑ "Testimonial to Mr. W. F. Downes". Taranaki Herald: 2. 28 March 1884.
  9. ↑ "Local and General News". Feilding Star: 2. 2 January 1896.
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