Alister Howden

New Zealand cricketer (1877-1938)

  • Ernest Howden (brother)
  • Peter Howden (nephew)
Domestic team information YearsTeam1906/07–1914/15Auckland Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 11
Runs scored 95
Batting average 7.91
100s/50s 0/0
Top score 29
Balls bowled 1,888
Wickets 53
Bowling average 18.00
5 wickets in innings 4
10 wickets in match 1
Best bowling 7/87
Catches/stumpings 5/–
Source: Cricinfo, 1 November 2017

Alister MacDonald Howden (20 August 1877 – 25 November 1938) was a New Zealand cricketer. He played first-class cricket for Auckland between 1906 and 1914.[1]

Life and career

Howden was born in Scotland and moved to New Zealand with his family as a boy. After attending Otago Boys' High School he worked for the Bank of Australasia in Invercargill before taking other positions in financial institutions in New Zealand.[2] He went into business as a grain and produce merchant in Auckland in the 1900s.[2]

In 1908-09 Howden took 7 for 87 and 5 for 61 with his leg-spin to help Auckland retain the Plunket Shield against Otago, dismissing his brother Ernest in each innings.[3] In January 1910, after Howden had taken six wickets against Canterbury and eight against Wellington to help Auckland retain the Shield, an Auckland cricket writer said: "it is the opinion of many experts that he is without exception the best bowler in New Zealand at present".[4] He was selected in the first of the two matches New Zealand played against Australia later that season, but had no success.[5]

He was also an accomplished golfer who won several local championships.[2]

Howden died in November 1938, aged 61, survived by his wife and four sons.[2] He left an estate worth 11,000 pounds.[6] A short biography (containing family trees) titled Alister MacDonald Howden: A True Sportsman 1875-1938 was published in 2015.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Alister Howden". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d "Citizen's Death: Mr. A. M. Howden". New Zealand Herald: 17. 26 November 1938.
  3. ^ "Auckland v Otago 1908-09". CricketArchive. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  4. ^ "Cricket: Notes and Comments". New Zealand Herald: 5. 19 January 1910.
  5. ^ Don Neely & Richard Payne, Men in White: The History of New Zealand International Cricket, 1894–1985, Moa, Auckland, 1986, p. 51.
  6. ^ "Auckland Estates". New Zealand Herald: 15. 20 December 1938.
  7. ^ "Alister MacDonald Howden: a true sportsman". Auckland Museum. Retrieved 13 August 2024.