Menu

David Gower

Sky Team
Sky Team Image: Wikimedia Commons. Nic Redhead / CC BY-SA 2.0

David Ivon Gower (born 1 April 1957) is an English former cricketer and cricket commentator who captained the England cricket team during the 1980s. Widely regarded as one of the most stylish left-handed batsmen of his era, Gower played 117 Test matches and 114 One Day Internationals for England, before transitioning into a career in broadcasting with Sky Sports after his retirement.

Key facts

Full name David Ivon Gower
Born 1 April 1957
Nationality English
Batting style Left-handed
Role Batsman; later commentator
Tests played 117
Test runs 8,231
ODIs played 114
ODI runs 3,170
First-class runs 26,339 at an average of 40.08
First-class centuries 53
Runs against Australia 3,269 (second only to Jack Hobbs)
ICC Hall of Fame Inducted on 16 July 2009

Background

Gower emerged in English cricket in the late 1970s and quickly established himself as one of the leading batsmen of his generation. He was a member of the England squad that reached the final of the 1979 Cricket World Cup, where the team finished as runners-up.

International career

Captaincy

Gower was appointed captain of England during the 1980s. He led the side to victory in the 1985 Ashes against Australia. However, his tenure also included two heavy 5–0 series defeats to the West Indies cricket team, in 1984 and in 1985–86, which weighed against his record as captain. He was replaced as captain in 1986.

He was briefly reinstated as captain for the 1989 Ashes series, after which he was succeeded by Graham Gooch. The strained working relationship between Gower and Gooch was a contributing factor in Gower's eventual retirement from international cricket in 1993.

Batting record

Gower was among the most capped and prolific run-scorers for England during his playing years. His tally of 3,269 runs against Australia was at the time exceeded only by Jack Hobbs. As of February 2021, he held the record for 119 consecutive innings without being dismissed for a duck in Test cricket.

Timeline

  • 1957 – Born on 1 April.
  • 1979 – Part of the England squad that finished runners-up at the Cricket World Cup.
  • 1984 – England, under Gower, lost 0–5 to the West Indies.
  • 1985 – Captained England to victory in the Ashes.
  • 1985–86 – Second 5–0 defeat to the West Indies.
  • 1986 – Replaced as England captain.
  • 1989 – Briefly reinstated as captain for the Ashes; later succeeded by Graham Gooch.
  • 1993 – Retired from international cricket.
  • 2009 – Inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame on 16 July.
  • 2018 – Named in England's greatest Test XI by the ECB to mark the country's 1,000th Test in August.

Post-playing career

After retirement, Gower built a successful career in broadcasting as a cricket commentator with Sky Sports. His standing in the game was further recognised by the England and Wales Cricket Board, which named him in England's greatest Test XI on the occasion of the country's 1,000th Test match in August 2018.

Significance

Gower is remembered as one of the most elegant left-handed batsmen produced by English cricket. His career runs in Tests and ODIs, his record against Australia, and his sustained presence at the top of the order made him a central figure in England's cricket through the 1980s and early 1990s. His induction into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame placed him among the game's all-time recognised greats.

References