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Sky News AU
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Sky News AU
The cricket world has mourned the tragic loss of Ashes hero Bob Cowper, Australia's $100m batting icon
Cricket Australia has paid its respects to former Test icon and legend of the game Bob Cowper, who has died at the age of 84. Cowper, a superb left-handed batter who became Australia's most wealthy former Test cricketer died in Melbourne on Saturday morning after a lengthy battle with cancer. The Ashes hero played 27 Tests for Australia between 1964 and 1968 and has a special place in the pantheon of Australian cricket due to both his exceptional records and his famous decision to retire from the sport at the peak of his career at age 28. Cowper is survived by his wife Dale and his daughters Olivia and Sera. The Victorian batsman produced one of Australia's most memorable Test innings when he made 307 runs against England at the MCG in 1966 and served as the first Test triple century scored in Australia. That famous innings ultimately saw Australia retain the Ashes. Only seven other Australian's have achieved a triple century in a men's Test. "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," Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird said in a statement. "He was also a significant contributor to cricket in other roles including as an ICC match referee and his wisdom was always keenly sought. "On behalf of Cricket Australia, our deepest condolences to Bob's family, friends and former teammates at this very sad time." Better known to his mates as 'Wallaby', Cowper's batting average of 75.78 runs on home soil still remains the second highest of all time, rivalled only by Sir Donald Bradman The cricket doyen also held a stunning Test record, compiling 2,061 runs at an average of 46.84 and has five centuries to his name. Cowper also played 83 first class matches for Victoria and was immortalised into the Cricket Victoria hall of fame in 2018. However, he shocked his teammates and unexpectedly retired at age 28 to pursue business interests in the stock broking and merchant banking industry. Cowper went on to become Australia's most wealthy former Test cricketer. It was estimated in 1987 his total worth amounted to a staggering $100 million and for a significant portion of his life resided in the lavish microstate of Monaco. In retirement Cowper further served as an International Cricket match referee and represented Australia on the International Cricket Council. Cricket Victoria chair Ross Hepburn said Cowper had a "profound" impact on the game. "He was one of our greats – a player of technical excellence and great poise," he said. Cowper received a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2023.
7NEWS
11-05-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Bob Cowper dies aged 84 as Australian cricket mourns death of another great
Australian cricket is mourning the loss of another great after Bob Cowper died aged 84 following a cancer battle. The Victorian played 27 Tests and averaged 46.84, scoring five tons including his famous 307 across an astonishing 12 hours in the 1965-66 Ashes Test at the MCG. It was the first triple-century scored on Australian soil. He also took 36 wickets at an average of 31.63 — but would not play a single Test match after the age of 27. He retired for good before turning 30, finishing on a high with Victoria's Sheffield Shield triumph in 1970 before turning his focus to business. Cowper, a Victorian Cricket Hall of Famer and life member of Cricket Victoria, went on to have a lucrative career as a stockbroker and merchant banker. He is the third Victorian great of the 1970s to die in the past six months. Ian Redpath died aged 83 late last year, while Keith Stackpole died at 84 last month. Cowper was recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2023.
Perth Now
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Australian women's cricket star makes state switch
Australia's most decorated women's cricketer Ellyse Perry is returning to Sydney, ending a six-year stint with Victoria. The 34-year-old is returning to NSW to be closer to family and friends. "The last six years I have spent in Melbourne and at Cricket Victoria have been extremely fond ones," Perry said in a statement on Thursday. "And I'm incredibly grateful for all the opportunities and memories that I'll cherish. "I'm really looking forward to being back in Sydney and closer to my family and long-time friends." Perry - a six-time T20 World Cup winner and five-time Ashes winner - has played for the WBBL's Sydney Sixers while representing Victoria in state ranks. Leah Poulton, Cricket NSW's head of female elite cricket, said the return of Perry was a boost for the Breakers' defence of their one-day and four-day titles. "We're thrilled to welcome Ellyse back home," Poulton said. "She's not only one of the world's premier cricketers but also a role model and leader whose impact extends far beyond the field. "Pez's experience and approach to the game make her an incredible asset to any team."
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Massive news about Ellyse Perry confirmed after leaving home for ex-husband
Ellyse Perry's move back to NSW from Victoria has been confirmed, after she switched allegiances in 2019 to be closer to ex-husband Matt Toomua. Perry confirmed on Thursday that she'll play for NSW in domestic cricket in 2025, after reports emerged in February that she was keen to come home. The Australian cricket star has spent the past six years playing for Victoria, but will be back in blue this season. 'The last six years I've spent in Melbourne and at Cricket Victoria have been extremely fond ones and I'm incredibly grateful for all the opportunities and memories that I'll cherish,' the 34-year-old said. 'I'm really looking forward to being back in Sydney and closer to my family and longtime friends.' Leah Poulton, the head of Female Elite Cricket in NSW, said Perry's return to the state is a significant boost. 'We're thrilled to welcome Ellyse back home to the Breakers," Poulton said. "She's not only one of the world's premier cricketers, but also a role model and leader whose impact extends far beyond the field. Pez' professionalism, experience, and approach to the game make her an incredible asset to any team, and we're excited to have her back in our program.' Perry played for NSW from 2007 to 2019, helping the Breakers win a staggering 10 titles in the Women's National Cricket League. Despite playing 20 games for Victoria across the last six years, Perry remains 10th on the list of all-time WNCL run-scorers for NSW, and is the state's third-highest wicket-taker. She decided to up stumps and move to Victoria in 2019 when ex-husband Toomua was based there while playing for the Melbourne Rebels. Her five-year marriage with the former Wallabies player broke down in 2020 and they went their separate ways, but Perry remained playing for Victoria. "At the end of the day, it was really very much a personal decision for family life," she said in 2019 about the move. "The opportunity to play at NSW for the last decade or so has been an absolute honour. "Going back before that, playing all my junior cricket for NSW and their pathway programs, I was lucky to do that. I am very much a NSW girl. It is definitely sad but, at the same time, having played for a fairly long period now, it's kind of invigorating to have a new opportunity and experience in a different state." RELATED: Pressure mounts on Pat Cummins as move with wife explained Detail in Alyssa Healy's outfit causes stir during Mitchell Starc match Perry is notoriously private about her personal life, and hasn't spoken much about her sad split with Toomua in the years that have followed. In 2022, he opened up on the divorce and said: 'It was tough. Not fun at all. It sucked. You can see why it breaks people. It was brutal. "I'm very fortunate that we had no kids, and of the divorces, it was a good one in the sense of the separation of those things. The one unique thing being it was public. Getting sprayed while I'm goal-kicking or getting abused on some social media platform isn't great, but they're minor things.'
Sky News AU
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Sky News AU
Australian superstar Ellyse Perry rejoining NSW
Australian superstar Ellyse Perry has locked in a major career change confirming her Victorian exit and a move back to NSW to play for her home state again. Perry, 34, spent six seasons playing in Victoria, moving south when she married former Melbourne Rebels and Wallabies star Matt Toomua. But after 20 matches, 1052 runs and 13 wickets for Victoria, having played games while also starring for Australia, Perry is moving home and will play out her career for NSW. 'The last six years I've spent in Melbourne and at Cricket Victoria have been extremely fond ones and I'm incredibly grateful for all the opportunities and memories that I'll cherish,' Perry said. 'I'm really looking forward to being back in Sydney and closer to my family and longtime friends.' Perry sits 10th on the list of all-time WNCL run-scorers for NSW, remains the state's third highest wicket-taker, and has now amassed more than 2,700 runs and 120 wickets in her WNCL career. Leah Poulton, Head of Female Elite Cricket at Cricket NSW, said Perry's return is a significant moment for the program. 'We're thrilled to welcome Ellyse back home to the Breakers. She's not only one of the world's premier cricketers, but also a role model and leader whose impact extends far beyond the field,' Poulton said. 'Pez' professionalism, experience, and approach to the game make her an incredible asset to any team, and we're excited to have her back in our program.' Originally published as Australian superstar Ellyse Perry is heading home and will play for NSW after six seasons in Victoria
