Cowdrey keen to start Kent career

With a family of cricketers behind him, Fabian Cowdrey is looking forward to starting his professional career with Kent.

The 18 year oldtop order batsman and slow left-arm bowler has a family with a cricketing pedigree of some distinction, with grandfather Colin and father Chris both having played for and captained both Kent and England.

However, Fabian is keen to make his own way in the game and develop his own reputation having signed his first professional deal with Kent last week:

“I’m very excited to get going now and it’s a great privilege to have been given a contract by Kent. It’s never been so much of an issue for me having my father and grandfather play for Kent in the past. Whenever I go out to bat I try to put it all to the back of my mind. I’ve grown up with it, but know I have got to do it my way and develop my own name.”

Cowdrey has already made that name for himself, gaining international recognition representing England at youth levels whilst impressing sufficiently for the Kent second eleven to gain himself a one year deal at the St Lawrence ground.

Despite earning his first pro deal, Cowdrey is keen to make sure he uses the next year well to secure a more long term career with the county; “I’ve been given a year and then I will have to see what I am going to do with my future. I deferred my offer to go to UWIC university in Cardiff to play professional cricket and I’m delighted to be able to do that as playing cricket is a dream of mine.”

Comparisons are always going to be made with his father, who played six Tests for England during a fifteen year career with Kent, but Fabian insists his father has been keen for him to learn his trade without too much parental influence:

“He has never pushed me too hard to work on things. He has always pointed me in the right direction, but he has never forced me to go and practice. He’s always said that if I have any questions or need any advice then he is happy to help.”

Cowdrey hasn’t been short of advice throughout his fledgling career and feels that there are certain people to thank for getting him where he is today:

“All the coaches at Kent have had their influence on me. It’s a shame Paul Farbrace has left the frame because I had a really good relationship with him. Phil Relf, Simon Willis and Paul Farbrace have all had a major impact on my career so far. Tonbridge School have also helped me massively with my development. Andy Whittal, who played for Zimbabwe, was the coach at Tonbridge and helped me along with Ian Baldock.”

As for Cowdrey’s plans for the winter, like most cricketers he plans to spend some time abroad, however he is looking to follow in another Kent batsman’s footsteps:

“I will be going to Montreal on a rackets trip, just like Sam Northeast did as he found it great for your hand eye co-ordination. I’m also considering going off to Australia after Christmas, but we’re still in discussions about that.”

Fabian will be looking to cement a place in the Kent batting line up for years to come and has likened himself to Michael Yardy with his left arm spin. With the name Cowdrey on his shirt, who would bet against him?

Fabian Cowdrey was speaking to Steve Wolfe of KSN

Photo by Sarah Ansell SarahCanterbury.com