Another gentleman has gone: Nadkarni

Colin Cowdrey, who died in London on Tuesday, was a solid batsman with loads of patience, said former India leg spinner Bapu Nadkarni.

Bapu, wellknown for his amazing accuracy, recalled his duel with Cowdrey in the early sixties series at home.

"Cowdrey was rushed to fill in for another great batsman, the injured Ken Barrington, and immediately in the Test he shifted into the sheet anchor role perfectly," Nadkarni said, adding though he was a superb stroke maker he realised his role in saving the match and batted for about six hours for his hundred.

Nadkarni said he felt sad that "another gentleman, in a game, where less and less of such personalities are found today, has gone".

''As a young cricketer I remember his and the late Peter May's great batting against Australia and spinners Sony Ramadhin and Alf Valentine,'' Nadkarni said.

Mail Cricket Editor