'I am incredibly messy in the changing room'
Ed Cowan recounts being dragged out of the bar to field as a substitute in a Test, picks his best pub quiz team, and lists his various nicknames
Interview by Jack Wilson
16-Oct-2014
"I apologise to all four captains for letting me bluff them into giving me a bowl" • Getty Images
You have played 18 Tests. How do you feel your Test career has gone?
In a few words: not as good as it should have. It is bloody hard work and I loved every moment. If I had my time again I would have changed a few things, but one thing I do know is I can look myself in the mirror and know I gave every ounce of effort to every minute of my 18 Tests.
In a few words: not as good as it should have. It is bloody hard work and I loved every moment. If I had my time again I would have changed a few things, but one thing I do know is I can look myself in the mirror and know I gave every ounce of effort to every minute of my 18 Tests.
Where do you see your chances now?
I am of the opinion that if you score enough runs, you can make any case an irresistible one. But I think in my case that needs to be a lot of runs. I am enjoying the challenge of rising to that benchmark.
I am of the opinion that if you score enough runs, you can make any case an irresistible one. But I think in my case that needs to be a lot of runs. I am enjoying the challenge of rising to that benchmark.
Do you take heart from the fact that Chris Rogers and Brad Haddin - four years older than yourself - are still playing?
Absolutely - as I said, it is hard to argue with big runs regardless of age.
Absolutely - as I said, it is hard to argue with big runs regardless of age.
Your maiden Test ton was watched by a special fan. What was it like scoring a century in front of your daughter Romy?
Not just little Romy but my whole family, including my late mother. It was a huge treat to have them there and be able to share the moment with me. They, after all, are the ones who have sacrificed as much as I had to to get there.
Not just little Romy but my whole family, including my late mother. It was a huge treat to have them there and be able to share the moment with me. They, after all, are the ones who have sacrificed as much as I had to to get there.
Tell us about the time you fielded as a substitute for Australia. You were in the SCG members' bar when they called you up.
Despite it being 11 years ago, people love to ask this question. Yes, I was in the bar but, of course, was only drinking lemon, lime and bitters. Who drinks beer at the cricket?
Despite it being 11 years ago, people love to ask this question. Yes, I was in the bar but, of course, was only drinking lemon, lime and bitters. Who drinks beer at the cricket?
And you didn't keep the gear, I gather?
No, I always feel even training gear is sacred to the team. It symbolises who they are and the work they put in together. It wasn't for me to swan in and take the gear.
No, I always feel even training gear is sacred to the team. It symbolises who they are and the work they put in together. It wasn't for me to swan in and take the gear.
On a night out, which of your team-mates would be the last at the bar to buy a round?
The last at the bar to be "able" to buy a round would have to be Daniel Marsh. He drinks pints to my 10oz when we have a beer together. But who has the shortest pockets? That honour is undoubtedly reserved for Tim Paine.
The last at the bar to be "able" to buy a round would have to be Daniel Marsh. He drinks pints to my 10oz when we have a beer together. But who has the shortest pockets? That honour is undoubtedly reserved for Tim Paine.
"Alex Doolan reads Who and Woman's Weekly religiously and has incredible knowledge on all things that I deem irrelevant"
Who is the worst person to share a room with?
Thankfully I am wise enough to call ahead and take the lottery out of it, ensuring that I always room with Alex Doolan. He buys the chocolate and I do the washing.
Thankfully I am wise enough to call ahead and take the lottery out of it, ensuring that I always room with Alex Doolan. He buys the chocolate and I do the washing.
The short straw in the Tasmania team rooming list is always James Faulkner. There's too much chat in the third person to keep anyone sane.
If you needed four team-mates, past or present, to make up the best pub quiz team, who would you choose?
Greg Mail, the former New South Wales opening batsman and the smartest cricketer I have played with. Alex Doolan reads Who and Woman's Weekly religiously and has incredible knowledge on all things that I deem irrelevant. Pat Farhart, the former New South Wales physio, for his '80s music "title and artist" ability and, to round it out, Jordan Silk for his deep love of sports statistics.
Greg Mail, the former New South Wales opening batsman and the smartest cricketer I have played with. Alex Doolan reads Who and Woman's Weekly religiously and has incredible knowledge on all things that I deem irrelevant. Pat Farhart, the former New South Wales physio, for his '80s music "title and artist" ability and, to round it out, Jordan Silk for his deep love of sports statistics.
And who would be the furthest away from it?
Sam Rainbird. Not much behind the great salad.
Sam Rainbird. Not much behind the great salad.
Which team-mate would you least like to be stuck in a lift with?
Probably Hilfy [Ben Hilfenhaus]. He can't sit still for more than ten seconds without getting bored.
Probably Hilfy [Ben Hilfenhaus]. He can't sit still for more than ten seconds without getting bored.
Who has the worst habits?
Probably me, to be honest. I have a terrible habit of being incredibly messy in the changing room and taking over people's space. As well as losing my phone. And my wallet. And my keys.
Probably me, to be honest. I have a terrible habit of being incredibly messy in the changing room and taking over people's space. As well as losing my phone. And my wallet. And my keys.
If you were stranded on a desert island and could take three items with you, what would you bring?
A fridge, a pack of never-ending Tim Tams, and a snorkel.
A fridge, a pack of never-ending Tim Tams, and a snorkel.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
To be in two places at once. Then I could play cricket all year and be at home with my beautiful family.
To be in two places at once. Then I could play cricket all year and be at home with my beautiful family.
Where did the nickname Fred come from?
It isn't my nickname. A bit like when ESPNcricinfo had me down as an offspin bowler and 175cm tall. I am at least 178cm. I get Teddy a lot, and a new one this year that is a little random: "Spicy".
It isn't my nickname. A bit like when ESPNcricinfo had me down as an offspin bowler and 175cm tall. I am at least 178cm. I get Teddy a lot, and a new one this year that is a little random: "Spicy".
Who is the toughest bowler you have ever faced?
Probably Morne Morkel. I didn't feel like I could really score unless he bowled one on my hip.
Probably Morne Morkel. I didn't feel like I could really score unless he bowled one on my hip.
Who is the best batsman you have seen?
Hands down, Ricky Ponting.
Hands down, Ricky Ponting.
If you were selecting a dream T20 team, who would be the first name on the team sheet?
Seriously? Considering I came fifth in the official BBL fantasy cricket competition last year? The big show Glenn Maxwell.
Seriously? Considering I came fifth in the official BBL fantasy cricket competition last year? The big show Glenn Maxwell.
In all your years playing first-class cricket, you have bowled 24 balls. Describe your bowling to us.
I should have had two wickets: Heath Streak lbw to a zooter and Jesse Ryder caught at mid-off. Instead, the next five balls went for 28 to ruin my economy. I apologise to all four captains for letting me bluff them into giving me a bowl. My first over in first-class cricket was legspin but then the other three were to left-handers so I bowled slow medium-pace.
I should have had two wickets: Heath Streak lbw to a zooter and Jesse Ryder caught at mid-off. Instead, the next five balls went for 28 to ruin my economy. I apologise to all four captains for letting me bluff them into giving me a bowl. My first over in first-class cricket was legspin but then the other three were to left-handers so I bowled slow medium-pace.