The ECB is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Graham Cowdrey, the former Kent batsman and a respected Match Referee.
A regular in the Kent side for more than a decade, Graham played 450 matches for the county as a right-handed middle-order batsman.
More recently Graham, who was 56, worked for the ECB as a Cricket Liaison Officer and then a Match Referee.
Graham was a part of the first appointed CLO panel in 2015, instilling his endearing personality with his passion for ensuring the game he loved was played with integrity and respect. He would light up a room with his humour, and his ability to apply a personal touch at the right time ensured he was both respected and much loved by everyone he met and who worked alongside him in the county network.
Tom Harrison, ECB Chief Executive Officer, said: “I first met Graham 30 years ago – he was a lovely man and always great company, a very good player, and was a popular and highly respected man in the game. This news is a huge shock, and he will be sorely missed by colleagues, players past and present and County cricket fans alike, particularly in Kent where people will be truly devastated. Our thoughts are with the Cowdrey family at this terrible time.”