Gerald Fowler (cricketer)
Encyclopedia
Gerald Fowler was an English cricket
er who made 119 first-class
appearances for Somerset
between 1891 and 1903. A right-handed batsman and right-arm fast-medium
bowler, Fowler was educated at Clifton College
and Oxford University. He died in 1916 after an operation for appendicitis
.
, who did not have first-class status at the time. The 18 year old Fowler claimed four wickets in the match He continued to appear for Essex over the following years, playing his final match for the county in May 1889. By this time, he'd already made his first-class debut for Oxford University
against the touring Australians.
He joined Somerset
for their successful 1890 season
, and remained part of their team following their admittance to the County Championship
the following summer. During the 1891 season, Fowler claimed his best bowling return, taking six wickets in an innings against the MCC
. Fowler frequently opened the batting
for Somerset, and it was from this position that he made his top-score, and only century, against Gloucestershire
in 1895.
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
er who made 119 first-class
First-class cricket
First-class cricket is a class of cricket that consists of matches of three or more days' scheduled duration, that are between two sides of eleven players and are officially adjudged first-class by virtue of the standard of the competing teams...
appearances for Somerset
Somerset County Cricket Club
Somerset County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Somerset...
between 1891 and 1903. A right-handed batsman and right-arm fast-medium
Fast bowling
Fast bowling, sometimes known as pace bowling, is one of the two main approaches to bowling in the sport of cricket. The other is spin bowling...
bowler, Fowler was educated at Clifton College
Clifton College
Clifton College is a co-educational independent school in Clifton, Bristol, England, founded in 1862. In its early years it was notable for emphasising science in the curriculum, and for being less concerned with social elitism, e.g. by admitting day-boys on equal terms and providing a dedicated...
and Oxford University. He died in 1916 after an operation for appendicitis
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the appendix. It is classified as a medical emergency and many cases require removal of the inflamed appendix, either by laparotomy or laparoscopy. Untreated, mortality is high, mainly because of the risk of rupture leading to...
.
Career
He made his first appearance in county cricket for his native EssexEssex County Cricket Club
Essex County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Essex. Its limited overs team is called the Essex Eagles, their team colours this season are blue.The club plays most of its home games...
, who did not have first-class status at the time. The 18 year old Fowler claimed four wickets in the match He continued to appear for Essex over the following years, playing his final match for the county in May 1889. By this time, he'd already made his first-class debut for Oxford University
Oxford University Cricket Club
Oxford University Cricket Club is a first-class cricket team, representing the University of Oxford. It plays its home games at the University Parks in Oxford, England...
against the touring Australians.
He joined Somerset
Somerset County Cricket Club
Somerset County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Somerset...
for their successful 1890 season
Somerset County Cricket Club in 1890
The 1890 season saw Somerset County Cricket Club playing thirteen fixtures against other county teams. These matches were not considered first-class, after Somerset had five years earlier been removed from the County Championship due to playing too few matches against other first-class counties...
, and remained part of their team following their admittance to the County Championship
County Championship
The County Championship is the domestic first-class cricket competition in England and Wales...
the following summer. During the 1891 season, Fowler claimed his best bowling return, taking six wickets in an innings against the MCC
Marylebone Cricket Club
Marylebone Cricket Club is a cricket club in London founded in 1787. Its influence and longevity now witness it as a private members' club dedicated to the development of cricket. It owns, and is based at, Lord's Cricket Ground in St John's Wood, London NW8. MCC was formerly the governing body of...
. Fowler frequently opened the batting
Batting order (cricket)
In cricket, the batting order is the sequence in which batsmen play through their team's innings, there always being two batsmen taking part at any one time...
for Somerset, and it was from this position that he made his top-score, and only century, against Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire County Cricket Club
Gloucestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Gloucestershire. Its limited overs team is called the Gloucestershire Gladiators....
in 1895.