Chris Crowhurst (OK 1957)

Chris was born in Streatham but later moved to Twickenham, and attended King’s, where his sporting, especially cricket prowess, was quickly noted. He followed in the footsteps of his father, Ken, who was a very good cricketer who played for the Metropolitan Police.

Chris played for the Colts teams in 1955 and 1956, and a year later, he was playing for the school’s 1st XI. He was a talented all-round sportsman, playing tennis and golf, but his forte was cricket. A most successful left-arm, medium-paced bowler, he was also a capable batsman and a brilliant fielder with a bullet throw, as well as a wonderful catcher of the ball. These talents were passed on to his son Alastair and grandson Henry, who is now playing Colts representative cricket for Berkshire.

After leaving school, Chris was initially employed by the National Westminster Bank and played cricket for the Bank’s first XI. He later set up and ran his own freight and shipping business.

Chris had a spell for three years at Teddington CC from 1972, a repository of many other OKs of that era, until, having moved to Oxshott, he found journeys round the North Circular to north London clubs wearing. He joined Oxshott CC and then the Jack Frost XI, which became his main cricketing outlet for the rest of his life. Chris toured with Frost to France and Sarasota in Florida, and in 1998/99 was in the JF touring party to Australia with his son Alastair.

Chris will be greatly missed by his many good friends, mostly fellow cricketers. Always cheerful, he had a great grin, especially after taking yet another wicket.

Chris died aged 81 on 25 May 2022, at St George’s Hospital and leaves Christine, his wife, son Alastair, daughter Alex and three grandchildren.

(An extract from the eulogy by David Lipop, friend and fellow cricketer – June 2022)