William Downes (cricketer)

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

William Downes

Newspaper drawing of W. F. Downes in 1889
Personal information
Full name	William Fowles Downes
Born	1843 Nantwich, Cheshire, England
Died	1 January 1896 (aged 52–53) Wanganui, New Zealand
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1865-66 to 1875-76	Otago
Career statistics
Competition FC Matches 9 Runs scored 102 Batting average 7.28 100s/50s 0/0 Top score 22 Balls bowled Wickets 60 Bowling average 7.00 5 wickets in innings 5 10 wickets in match 2 Best bowling 7/38 Catches/stumpings 8/0
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 14 April 2019

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.[2] Described as a man of "commanding presence, fine physique and genial nature", he began playing for Otago soon after his arrival.[2]

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".[3] 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.[4] In his last first-class match, in 1875-76, he took 7 for 38 and 3 for 53, but this time Canterbury won.[5]

He was the manager of the Bank of New South Wales in Wanganui, where he died after a long illness on 1 January 1896.[6] He had worked for the bank for 30 years, and as manager of the Wanganui branch for six.[2] His longest stay was 16 years in Lawrence, Otago.[7] In its brief notice of his death, The Feilding Star[8] called him "one of the most sterling men in the colony". Twice married, he left a widow, three sons and three daughters.[2]