John Bowra

John Bowra (dates unknown) was an English cricketer of the mid-Georgian period who played for Bromley and Kent. He also represented various England teams. A top-class player, he made numerous appearances in historically important matches, both eleven-a-side and single wicket. His name was also spelled "Borah", and "Boarer" when he played for London in 1739. Known as the "Kentish Shepherd", he is believed to have been the father of William Bowra (1752–1820).

1739 On 5 and 19 July 1739, London played two matches against a combined Kingston & Moulsey team. The first was on Moulsey Hurst, and the return on Kennington Common. The London & Country Journal, dated Tuesday, 24 July, reporting on the second match, made references to the first. It seems that Kingston & Moulsey won the first game because of "the Londoners turning out three bad men who played on Moulsey Hurst". Kingston & Moulsey won the second game by three runs despite losing "five of their best hands" from the earlier match. London had replaced the "three bad men" with Lord John Sackville, Mr Dunn, and Mr Boarer (sic) who were described as "three very good gamesters". This is the earliest known reference to Bowra.

See History of English cricket (1726–1750)#England teams for additional content.

1745 Two of the biggest matches of the 1745 season were played 26 June and 5 July on the Artillery Ground. The first was publicised as Long Robin's XI v Richard Newland's XI. Robert Colchin was nicknamed "Long Robin" because of his height. The teams for the first match were named, some of the players for the first time. No details of the scores were reported, but the result was a victory for Long Robin's XI by "over 70 runs". The match was "arranged by the noblemen and gentlemen of the London Club". The teams were:

A similar match was planned for 28 July 1747 on Kennington Common between Tom Faulkner's XI and John Bowra's XI. This was billed as "Long Tom of Surrey against the Kentish Shepherd", those being the nicknames of Tom Faulkner, who was also a prizefighter, and John Bowra. The other players would be "ten other persons on each team, picked out of different parts". An additional comment said: "Long Tom is well known for his excellent play and therefore needs no puffs; he backs himself 5 to 4 against the Kentish shepherd".

1749 Members of London Cricket Club arranged two select XI matches on the Artillery Ground, the first on 26 June was between Long Robin's XI and Stephen Dingate's XI for one hundred guineas a side, the second on 28 August between Long Robin's XI and Tom Faulkner's XI for sixty guineas a side. On 26 June, William Hodsoll was due to play for one team or the other, but had to withdraw. The teams were: Long Robin's XI: Robert Colchin, John Bryant, James Bryant, John Bell, John Mansfield, Robert Eures, Val Romney, William Durling, John Colchin, John Bowra, and John Larkin. Stephen Dingate's XI: Stephen Dingate, Tom Faulkner, Joe Harris, John Harris, George Jackson, John Frame, Humphreys, Little Bennett, Tom Peake, John Capon, and Thomas Jure.

This was Bowra's last known appearance. Except that he is believed to have been the father of William Bowra (1752–1820), there is no further mention of him in the sources. His dates of birth and death are unknown.