Geoffrey Lowndes

William Geoffrey Lowndes Frith Lowndes (born William Geoffrey Lowndes Frith; 24 January 1898 – 23 May 1982), known as Geoffrey Lowndes, was an English first-class cricketer. He played first-class cricket from 1921 to 1936, the majority of which was for Hampshire. He succeeded Lord Tennyson as Hampshire captain in 1934, holding the captaincy for two seasons.

Early life and cricket The son of William Frith, also a cricketer (who changed his surname and that of his issue from Frith to Frith Lowndes in July 1906), he was born at Wandsworth in February 1898. He was educated at Eton College, before joining the British Army in the final two years of the First World War, being commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant in December 1916, with appointment to the 21st Lancers in August 1917. Lowndes later served in the Third Anglo-Afghan War, which followed the First World War. He was a late inclusion in the Oxford side for the match, with his performance (three wickets and scores of 21 and 29) securing him a place in the Oxford side for their next match against the British Army cricket team, where he scored 88 in the Oxford first innings. His performances in these two trial matches secured him a place in the Oxford side in four further matches in the 1921 season, including playing in The University Match at Lord's. In the 1920s, he also played for the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) against Ireland at Dublin, and for the Harlequins against the touring West Indians at Eastbourne. Lowndes was described by Wisden as an "attacking batsman and a particularly fine driver, at his best on fast wickets". In September 1949, he played an exhibition match for the Duke of Edinburgh's XI at Bournemouth. Lowndes died at Newbury in May 1982, aged 84. At the time of his death, he was the last survivor of the 1921 Oxford University team.