{{short description|English cricketer (born 1944)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Use British English|date=May 2012}} {{Infobox cricketer | name = Bob Cottam | image = | country = England | fullname = Robert Michael Henry Cottam | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1944|10|16|df=yes}} | birth_place = Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, England | family = Andy Cottam (son)<br>Michael Cottam (son) | heightft = 6 | heightinch = 3<ref name="HAR">{{cite web|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002511/19610706/302/0022|title=Fast Bowler Adrift?|work=Harrow Observer|page=22|date=6 July 1961|access-date=19 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> | international = true | testdebutdate = 21 February | testdebutyear = 1969 | testdebutagainst = Pakistan | testcap = 441 | lasttestdate = 30 December | lasttestyear = 1972 | lasttestagainst = India | batting = Right-handed | bowling = Right-arm fast-medium | club1 = Hampshire | year1 = 1963–1971 | club2 = Northamptonshire | year2 = 1972–1976 | club3 = Devon | year3 = 1977–1978 | columns = 3 | column1 = Test | matches1 = 4 | runs1 = 27 | bat avg1 = 6.75 | 100s/50s1 = 0/0 | top score1 = 13 | deliveries1 = 903 | wickets1 = 14 | bowl avg1 = 23.35 | fivefor1 = 0 | tenfor1 = 0 | best bowling1 = 4/50 | catches/stumpings1 = 2/– | column2 = FC | matches2 = 289 | runs2 = 1,278 | bat avg2 = 6.98 | 100s/50s2 = 0/1 | top score2 = 62* | deliveries2 = 53,053 | wickets2 = 1,010 | bowl avg2 = 20.91 | fivefor2 = 58 | tenfor2 = 6 | best bowling2 = 9/25 | catches/stumpings2 = 153/– | column3 = LA | matches3 = 133 | runs3 = 262 | bat avg3 = 5.57 | 100s/50s3 = 0/0 | top score3 = 23* | deliveries3 = 6,605 | wickets3 = 180 | bowl avg3 = 22.55 | fivefor3 = 8 | tenfor3 = 0 | best bowling3 = 4/9 | catches/stumpings3 = 37/– | date = 9 May | year = 2010 | source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/10824.html ESPNcricinfo }}
'''Robert Michael Henry Cottam''' (born 16 October 1944) is an English former professional cricketer who played in four Test matches between 1969 and 1972 and in English county cricket with Hampshire from 1963 to 1971 and Northamptonshire from 1972 to 1976, before spending two years playing minor counties cricket with Devon in 1977 and 1978. Brown was born in Cowley and made his debut in first-class cricket for Hampshire in 1908. During the 1960s with Hampshire, Cottam was part of a three-pronged pace bowling attack that consisted of himself, Derek Shackleton, and Butch White. Against Lancashire in the 1965 County Championship, he took figures of 9 wickets for 25 runs, the best innings bowling figures by a Hampshire player as of {{year}}.
He made his Test debut for England against Pakistan in February 1969 on the winter tour to Ceylon and Pakistan, playing two of the three Test matches on the tour and finishing as England's leading wicket-taker. Having felt unsettled at Hampshire, Cottam moved to Northamptonshire ahead of the 1972 season. While playing for Northamptonshire, Cottam earned a recall to the Test team, playing two further Test matches against India on the 1972–73 winter tour. He left Northamptonshire at the end of the 1976 season, and briefly played minor counties cricket for Devon. In 289 first-class matches, he took over 1,000 wickets, and in 133 List A one-day matches he took 180 wickets. At Test level, he took 14 wickets.
Moving into coaching, Cottam was the National Cricket Association's chief coach for the West Country. In 1988, he was appointed cricket manager at Warwickshire, where he won the 1989 NatWest Trophy. He left the county at the end of the 1991 season, following a dispute with its captain Andy Lloyd and their cricket committee. He then joined Somerset as their director of coaching in December 1991, a role he held until the conclusion of the 1996 season. After leaving Someset, he was bowling coach for the England team between 1998 and 2001, later assisting Scotland in 2005.
==Early life== Cottam was born in Cleethorpes on 16 October 1944. His family moved south to Alperton near Wembley as a child, where he was educated at Lyon Park Primary School and captained a combined Wembley Primary Schools side. He then spent a year at Alperton County School, before his parents relocated to Berkshire,<ref name="HAR"/> where Cottam was attended The Piggott School,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002471/19770726/308/0016|title=Berks First After Child Decides He's Fit|work=Reading Evening Post|page=16|date=26 July 1977|access-date=19 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> and represented combined Berkshire schools.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003511/19631213/225/0016|title=Big Chance for Stuart Lott|work=Reading Standard|page=16|date=13 December 1963|access-date=19 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> He received coaching from Alf Gover and at the Middlesex indoor school in Finchley; despite the latter, he came to the attention of Hampshire, and began playing for their Second XI in 1961.<ref name="HAR"/>
==Cricket career== ===Early years at Hampshire=== Cottam made his debut in first-class cricket for Hampshire against Kent at Southampton in the 1963 County Championship.<ref name="FCM">{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1/1325/First-Class_Matches.html|title=First-Class Matches Played by Bob Cottam|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=19 May 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref> With fast bowler Derek Shackleton playing for England during the summer, Cottam gained opportunities to play in the first team throughout the summer,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002136/19630623/280/0033|title=Sydenham May Get a Shock|work=Sunday Mirror|location=London|page=33|date=23 June 1963|access-date=19 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> making 13 appearances in the Championship.<ref name="FCM"/> With his right-arm fast-medium bowling, he took 48 wickets at a bowling average of 24.04; he took five-wickets or more in an innings on three occasions,<ref name="FCBOS">{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1/1325/f_Bowling_by_Season.html|title=First-Class Bowling in Each Season by Bob Cottam|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=19 May 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref> with his season-best figures of 6 wickets for 10 runs taking Hampshire to victory against Leicestershire at Portsmouth in August.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000769/19630820/407/0034|title=Cottam's Best|work=Coventry Evening Telegraph|page=34|date=20 August 1963|access-date=19 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> He played less in the first eleven during the 1964 season, making 11 appearances and taking 25 wickets at 27.52.<ref name="FCBOS"/> He debuted in List A one-day cricket in 1964, against Wiltshire in the first round of the 1964 Gillette Cup, with his 4 for 9 leading Hampshire to victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002134/19640505/334/0016|title=K.O. Cup Boost for Durham|work=Birmingham Daily Post|date=5 May 1964|access-date=19 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> He then played in their second-round defeat to Warwickshire.<ref name="LAM">{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1/1325/List_A_Matches.html|title=List A Matches Played by Bob Cottam|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=19 May 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Cottam established himself in the side in 1965, making 22 first-class appearances.<ref name="FCM"/> Against Lancashire in the County Championship at Old Trafford, he took 9 for 25 in their first innings to trigger a batting collapse from 102 for 2 to 136 all out;{{sfn|Martin-Jenkins|1996|page=204}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000769/19650610/578/0049|title=Cottam Takes 9–25 Against Lancs.|work=Coventry Evening Telegraph|page=49|date=10 June 1965|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> in Lancashire's unsuccessful chase of 116 runs, Cottam did not take any further wickets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utilitabowl.com/cricket/match-highlights-all/club/records-and-achievements/bowling-records/|title=Bowling Records|publisher=Hampshire County Cricket Club|access-date=19 May 2026}}</ref> His 9 for 25 were the best innings figures by a Hampshire bowler, a record which remains as of {{year}}. Across the season, he took 73 wickets at 18.31, with three further five-wicket hauls;<ref name="FCBOS"/> he took ten-wickets in a match for the first time, against Kent in July, taking 6 for 38 and 4 for 36.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/27/27676.html|title=Kent v Hampshire, County Championship 1965|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=19 May 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref> In one-day cricket, he made three appearances in Hampshire's run to the quarter-final of the Gillette Cup,<ref name="LAM"/> taking 8 wickets at 14.37.<ref name="LABOS">{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1/1325/a_Bowling_by_Season.html|title=List A Bowling in Each Season by Bob Cottam|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=19 May 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Cottam's form in 1965 led to speculation that he might be selected for England's winter tour to Australia, but he was not chosen in the 12-man touring party.<ref name="TIMES"/><ref name="TIMES">{{cite news|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS50555138/TTDA?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-TTDA&pg=3&xid=cdd784aa|title=Parfitt And Cartwright In England Test 12|work=The Times|location=London|page=3|issue=56389|date=2 August 1965|url-access=subscription|via=Gale}}</ref> At the beginning of the 1966 season, he played for the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) against Yorkshire at Lord's.<ref name="FCM"/> For Hampshire that season, he made 18 appearances in the County Championship, taking 61 wickets at 19.32.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/0/County_Championship_1966/Hampshire_Bowling.html|title=Bowling for Hampshire, County Championship 1966|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=19 May 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref> He also made four one-day appearances in Hampshire's run to the semi-final in the Gillette Cup, taking 9 wickets at 17.22.<ref name="LABOS"/>
Cottam took over a hundred first-class wickets in the 1967 season, with 102 from 28 matches, averaging 19.76.<ref name="FCBOS"/> Across the season, he took five or more wickets in an innings on five occasions, with best figures of 7 for 50 against Nottinghamshire in the County Championship in May,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003893/19670526/024/0024|title=Notts Hit Back, and Take Quick Wickets|first=Neville|last=Foulger|work=Nottingham Evening Post|page=24|date=26 May 1967|access-date=20 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> in a performance the ''Nottingham Evening Post'' desrcibed as "hostile".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003893/19670601/022/0022|title=Brisk Start — Then Cottam Strikes|first=Neville|last=Foulger|work=Nottingham Evening Post|page=22|date=1 June 1967|access-date=20 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> Against Middlesex in the Championship in August, Cottam was last-man out in Hampshire's chase of 167, with his dismissal to Bob Herman resulting in the first tied first-class match since December 1961.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004848/19670826/388/0011|title=Trueman Finds that Old Fire – Goes on Top Again|work=Daily Express|location=London|page=11|date=26 August 1967|access-date=20 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> He played three matches in the 1967 Gillette Cup, taking 5 wickets as Hampshire reached the competition's quarter-final.<ref name="LAM"/><ref name="LABOS"/> The 1968 season was to be his most successful as a bowler, with Cottam taking 130 wickets at an average of 17.56 from 31 first-class matches;<ref name="FCBOS"/> he was the leading wicket-taker in the Championship in 1968, with 122 wickets, 18 more than Ken Higgs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/0/County_Championship_1968/Bowling_by_Wickets.html|title=Bowling in County Championship 1968 (Ordered by Wickets)|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=20 May 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Amongst his the nine five wicket hauls he took in 1968,<ref name="FCBOS"/> was his 6 for 35 in the final afternoon of the Championship match against Gloucestershire, that set up Hampshire's five wicket victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004769/19680525/023/0023|title=Batting is Downfall|work=Bristol Evening Post|page=23|date=25 May 1968|access-date=20 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> In June at Basingstoke, he took 7 for 61 against Warwickshire, with overall match figures of 10 for 87,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/29/29492.html|title=Hampshire v Warwickshire, County Championship 1968|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref> and in July, he took 6 for 14 to dismiss Nottinghamshire for 85 runs.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000564/19680726/161/0009|title=Yorks in Trouble at Westcliffe|work=Dundee Courier|page=9|date=26 July 1968|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> His form during the season led to his selection for the MCC President's XI against the touring Australians at Lord's in August,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005262/19680808/068/0004|title=Shuttleworth in MCC President's Team|work=Newton and Earlestown Guardian|location=Newton-le-Willows|page=4|date=8 August 1968|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> where he took two wickets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/29/29679.html|title=Marylebone Cricket Club President's XI v Australians, Australia in British Isles 1968|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref> He was named Cricket Writers' Club Young Cricketer of the Year in October 1968.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005475/19681029/014/0014|title=Bob Cottam Gets Award|work=Liverpool Daily Post|page=14|date=29 October 1968|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref>
===Test debut=== Cottam's form in 1968 led to his selection for the MCC winter tour to South Africa,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002471/19680829/433/0020|title=Another MCC Selection Shrouded in Controversy|work=Reading Post|page=20|date=29 August 1968|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref>{{refn|The MCC held the responsibility of organising overseas tours from 1903 to 1977. All matches on a tour were played as MCC, except for Test matches, where the side played as England.{{sfn|Williams|2012|page=21}}|group=note}} though the tour was ultimately cancelled in the wake of the D'Oliveira affair.{{sfn|Williams|2001|page=61}} He went on the MCC tour to Ceylon and Pakistan in early 1969, where he made his Test debut for England against Pakistan at Lahore on 21 February,<ref name="TMP">{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1/1325/Test_Matches.html|title=Test Matches Played by Bob Cottam|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref> taking 4 for 50 and 2 for 35 in the Pakistani first and second innings respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/29/29929.html|title=Pakistan v England, MCC in Ceylon and Pakistan 1968/69 (1st Test)|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Four days after the conclusion of the first Test, Cottam played in the second Test at Dacca,<ref name="TMP"/> taking three wickets across the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/29/29929.html|title=Pakistan v England, MCC in Ceylon and Pakistan 1968/69 (1st Test)|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref> He did not play in the third Test at Karachi.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000324/19690306/014/0014|title=Milburn 100 — The Test Riot|work=Hull Daily Mail|page=14|date=6 March 1969|access-date=24 March 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> With 9 wickets, Cottam was England's leading wicket taker in the Test matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-pakistan-1968-69-61760/stats|title=England tour of Pakistan 1968/69 - Stats|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=24 May 2026}}</ref> Prior to the Test series, he played in the first-class fixture against Ceylon at Colombo, and in Pakistan he played in three first-class matches.<ref name="FCM"/>
Cottam made 25 first-class appearances in the 1969 English season, taking over a hundred wickets (109 at 21.04) in consecutive seasons;<ref name="FCBOS"/> he was the second highest wicket-taker in the County Championship, with 100 wickets, three behind Mike Procter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/0/County_Championship_1969/Bowling_by_Average.html|title=Bowling in County Championship 1969 (Ordered by Wickets)|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Amongst the eight five wicket hauls he took during the season was 7 for 32 in a defeat against Nottinghamshire at Basingstoke in the final Championship match of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/30/30503.html|title=Hampshire v Nottinghamshire, County Championship 1969|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref> With further proliferation of the one-day game in county cricket during the 1969 season, which came via the introduction of Sunday League, Cottam found played regular one-day cricket.<ref name="LAM"/> He made 17 one-day appearances in 1969, helping Hampshire finish second in the inaugural Player's County League. In these, he took 22 wickets at an average of 21.<ref name="LABOS"/> Alongside fellow fast bowler Butch White, Cottam had threatened to leave Hampshire in 1969, unless his wages were bought up into line with Barry Richards; both Cottam and White reached an amicable agreement and remained with Hampshire heading into the 1970s.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000760/19691128/038/0038|title=Cricket|work=Leicester Daily Mercury|page=38|date=28 November 1969|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> Following the retirement of Shackleton after the 1969 season, Cottam led the Hampshire attack alongside White, however, an injury in July ruled White out for the remainder of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004848/19700804/237/0009|title=Hampshire|work=Daily Express|location=London|page=9|date=4 August 1970|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> Cottam took 77 wickets at 25.81 in 22 first-class matches,<ref name="FCBOS"/> whilst in 15 one-day appearances he took 12 wickets at 39.25, which was the lowest one-day return of his career.<ref name="LABOS"/>
Following the 1970 season, Cottam toured Pakistan with an International XI, playing three first-class matches against a BCCP XI, taking 12 wickets across the matches.<ref name="FCBOS"/> In the 1971 season, he made 23 first-class appearances, taking 80 wickets at 22.30;<ref name="FCBOS"/> he twice took ten-wickets in a match in 1971, against Northamptonshire (11 for 80) in May,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004848/19710522/646/0017|title=Francis Stuns Sussex|work=Daily Express|location=London|page=17|date=13 July 1971|access-date=22 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> and Essex (10 for 95) in July.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004848/19710713/264/0013|title=Tamed|work=Daily Express|location=London|page=13|date=13 July 1971|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> He made 17 appearances in one-day cricket in 1971, taking 23 wickets at 21.<ref name="LABOS"/> Following the season, Cottam requested an immediate release from his contract, having felt unsettled at Hampshire for the last two years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002135/19711030/376/0016|title=Cottam Wants to Leave Hampshire|work=Birmingham Daily Post|page=16|date=30 October 1971|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref>
===Move to Northamptonshire=== Despite interest from Leicestershire and Middlesex, Cottam joined Northamptonshire.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000769/19711122/198/0018|title=Cottam Decides|work=Coventry Evening Telegraph|page=18|date=22 November 1971|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> His move, and that of Bob Willis from Surrey to Warwickshire, paved the way for a change in the rule for players transferring between counties; they previously had to wait a year before they could appear in a competitive match for a new county.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004722/19720218/012/0012|title=Restrictions too Tight — Cricketers|work=Nottingham Guardian Journal|page=12|date=18 February 1972|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> Although their applications to forgo the one-year qualification period were not supported by their counties,{{sfn|Arlott|1985|page=219}} the registration sub-committee of the Test and County Cricket Board clear Cottam to play for Northamptonshire in the County Championship from 17 June 1971,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002139/19720222/018/0018|title=Willis Will Face Australians|first=W. G.|last=Wanklyn|work=Birmingham Mail|page=18|date=22 February 1972|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> causing him to miss a handful of matches at the beginning of the 1972 season. He made 15 first-class appearances for Northamptonshire during the season,<ref name="FCM"/> taking 50 wickets at 18.36; he took five wickets or more six times and ten-wickets in a match once.<ref name="LABOS"/> His best figures, 8 for 14, came in a friendly first-class match against Oxford University, prior to his Championship participation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005765/19720522/361/0016|title=Surrey in Cup Trouble|work=The Evening News|location=London|page=16|date=22 May 1972|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> In one-day cricket, he made seven appearances, taking 10 wickets at 19.80.<ref name="LABOS"/>
Despite missing the start of the 1972 season, Cottam's form for its remainder earned him a recall for the MCC's winter tour of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005475/19720819/014/0014|title=Still a Chance for Hayes or Lloyd|work=Liverpool Daily Post|page=14|date=19 August 1972|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> On the Indian leg of the tour, he featured in two first-class warm-up matches,<ref name="FCM"/> before playing in the first Test against India at Delhi,<ref name="TMP"/> taking two wickets in the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/33/33001.html|title=India v England, MCC in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka 1972/73 (1st Test)|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref> He then played in the second Test at Calcutta,<ref name="TMP"/> taking three wickets across the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/33/33024.html|title=India v England, MCC in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka 1972/73 (2nd Test)|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref> He did not play in the final three Test matches against India, nor did he feature in the three Test matches that followed against Pakistan, having been dropped in favour of Geoff Arnold.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003894/19730110/030/0030|title=Arnold Back for England in Test|work=Nottingham Evening Post|page=30|date=10 January 1973|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> He did, however, play a handful of first-class matches following his Test apprearances.<ref name="FCM"/> In the 1973 English season, Cottam made 24 first-class appearances, taking 76 wickets at 20.27, with four five wicket hauls.<ref name="FCBOS"/> He played during the season for the MCC against the touring New Zealanders, and at the second concluding Scarborough Festival for T. N. Pearce's XI against the touring West Indians.<ref name="FCM"/> In one-day cricket, he took 27 wickets at 18.77 from 17 matches.<ref name="LABOS"/>
Cottam made just 14 first-class appearances in 1974,<ref name="FCM"/> having torn ankle ligaments in June which were expected to rule him out for two to three weeks, but he ended up missing six.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005095/19740603/525/0032|title=Cottam Blow|work=Kent Evening Post|location=Chatham|page=32|date=3 June 1974|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> Despite injury, he managed to take 56 first-class wickets at 19.66, claiming five wickets or more in an innings on four occasions,<ref name="FCBOS"/> whilst in 15 one-day matches, he took 23 wickets at 18.04.<ref name="LABOS"/> The following season, he made 18 first-class appearances, taking 30 wickets at 32.73,<ref name="FCBOS"/> and took 16 wickets at 32.25 from 17 one-day matches.<ref name="LABOS"/> In the 1976 season, he made just eight first-class appearances.<ref name="FCM"/> After a strong start to the season, including performances of 6 for 55 and 7 for 39 in Northamptonshire's opening Championship match against Lancashire,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005765/19760429/772/0035|title=Thrasher Nash|work=Evening News|location=London|page=35|date=29 April 1976|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> and 7 for 100 against Kent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/36/36310.html|title=Essex v Northamptonshire, County Championship 1976|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Cottam suffered an injury in early July, at which point in the season he had taken 36 first-class wickets at 16.22,<ref name="FCBOS"/> and 11 one-day wickets at 39.09 from 12 matches.<ref name="LABOS"/> He was released by Northamptonshire later in July.<ref name="REL">{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000769/19760723/154/0012|title=Cottam to Quit|work=Liverpool Echo|page=26|date=23 July 1976|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref>
===Minor Counties cricket=== Cottam joined minor county Devon as their professional ahead of the 1977 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001329/19770120/013/0013|title=Cottam Plans Off-Cutter Assault|work=Torbay Express and South Devon Echo|location=Torquay|page=13|date=20 January 1977|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> He made eight appearances in the 1977 Minor Counties Championship,<ref name="MCM">{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1/1325/Minor_Counties_Championship_Matches.html|title=Minor Counties Championship Matches Played by Bob Cottam|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> and was the second highest wicket-taker in the competition with 43 at 12.44, two behind Suffolk's Robin Hobbs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/4/Minor_Counties_Championship_1977/Bowling_by_Wickets.html|title=Bowling in Minor Counties Championship 1977 (Ordered by Wickets)|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> The following season, he made one appearance in the Minor Counties Championship,<ref name="MCM"/> and made a one-day appearance in the Gillette Cup first round defeat to Staffordshire.<ref name="LAM"/> He was the last professional to be employed by Devon until Peter Trego and Wayne White in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.devoncricket.co.uk/page.php?Id=3588|title=Trego the 'Right Man' for Devon as Professional Says Skipper Thompson|publisher=Devon County Cricket Club|date=23 February 2019|access-date=25 May 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://devoncricket.co.uk/page.php?Id=4029|title=Ex-pro White Makes Devon Debut|publisher=Devon County Cricket Club|date=25 February 2019|access-date=25 May 2026}}</ref>
==Playing style and statistics== Cottam was a tall 6 foot 3 inches (1.9 metres), right-arm fast-medium bowler who bowled with a slingy action.{{sfn|Frindall|1989|page=90}} The cricket writer Christopher Martin-Jenkins described him as a "persistent" bowler with good stamnia,{{sfn|Martin-Jenkins|1996|page=204}} with fellow cricket writer Martin Williamson noting that he bowled with "unerring accuracy".<ref name="PRO">{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/bob-cottam-10824|title=Bob Cottam|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 May 2026}}</ref> Writing in the ''Sports Argus'', the journalist W. C. Wanklyn observed that his bowling was a "great deal quicker" than it looked.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002192/19670729/117/0007|title=A 'Home' Cap for Ibadulla|first=W. G.|last=Wanklyn|work=Sports Argus|location=Birmingham|page=7|date=29 July 1967|access-date=25 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> When he moved to Northamptonshire, he reduced the speed of his bowling and came to rely more upon delivering cutters to dismiss batsmen.{{sfn|Martin-Jenkins|1996|page=204}}{{sfn|Frindall|1989|page=90}} The cricket writer Bill Frindall opined that he was a "daunting prospect on responsive pitches", where he was able to extract sharp bounce.{{sfn|Frindall|1989|page=90}} Martin-Jenkins later wrote the Cottam was an effective one-day bowler.{{sfn|Martin-Jenkins|1996|page=204}}
Cottam made 289 first-class appearances, taking 1,010 wickets at 20.91; he took five wickets or more in an innings 58 times, and ten wickets in a match six.<ref name="PRO"/> He took over 1,000 wickets in a season three times.<ref name="FCBOS"/> For Hampshire, he made 188 first-class appearances, taking 693 wickets at 20.71, taking 38 five wicket hauls for the county.<ref name="FCBOWL">{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1/1325/f_Bowling_by_Team.html|title=First-Class Bowling For Each Team by Bob Cottam|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=25 May 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref> For Northamptonshire, he took 241 first-class wickets at 20.23 from 76 matches, with 17 five wicket hauls.<ref name="FCBOWL"/> In one-day cricket, he took 180 wickets at 22.55 from 133 matches.<ref name="PRO"/> For Hampshire in one-day cricket, he took 91 wickets at 21.15 from 63 matches, while for Northamptonshire he made 68 appearances, taking 87 wickets at 23.74.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1/1325/a_Bowling_by_Team.html|title=List A Bowling For Each Team by Bob Cottam|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=25 May 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Although better suited to English conditions, his only Test caps came on tours of the subcontinent, where the selectors favoured his cutters on turning wickets;{{sfn|Bateman|1993|page=43}} although it transpired that the pitches did not favour him,<ref name="PRO"/> he still took 14 wickets at 23.35 at Test level.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1/1325/t_Bowling_by_Team.html|title=Test Bowling For Each Team by Bob Cottam|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=25 May 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref> A tailend batsman, he scored 1,278 first-class runs in his career, at a batting average of 6.98; he made one half-century, an unbeaten 62 runs.<ref name="PRO"/> In the field, he took a total of 153 catches at first-class level.<ref name="PRO"/>
==Coaching career== Following the end of his first-class playing career, Cottam took up a coaching position at a school in Lyme Regis in Dorset,<ref name="REL"/> before coaching at Seaton, Devon.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001329/19800806/017/0017|title=Can Bob Save Sidmouth?|work=Torbay Express and South Devon Echo|location=Torquay|page=17|date=6 August 1980|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> In December 1981, he was the National Cricket Association's chief cricket coach for the West Country,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004974/19811209/013/0013|title=Coach Cottam|work=Western Daily Press|location=Bristol|date=9 December 1981|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> a role he held until 1987, when he was appointed Warwickshire's cricket manager.{{sfn|Frindall|1989|page=90}} The county won the 1989 NatWest Trophy under his management.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002488/19890904/050/0006|title=On the Road to the Top|work=Sandwell Evening Mail|location=Birmingham|page=6|date=4 September 1989|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> He left Warwickshire in October 1990, following a feud with captain Andy Lloyd, and citing "a total lack of confidence" with their cricket committee.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003126/19901031/388/0040|title=Cottam Quits Edgbaston|first=Martin|last=Swain|publisher=Express & Star|location=Wolverhampton|page=40|date=31 October 1990|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref>
In December 1991, Cottam signed a five-year contract with Somerset to become their coaching director,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004769/19911213/068/0068|title=Someset Job for Cottam|first=Peter|last=Godsiff|work=Bristol Evening Post|page=68|date=13 December 1991|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> but was released by Someset following the 1996 season, with one-year still left on his contract.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002135/19960911/019/0019|title=Cottam's Early Out|work=Birmingham Post|page=19|date=11 September 1996|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> He returned to Warwickshire in November 1996, as a part-time bowling consultant.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002139/19961121/085/0085|title=Cottam Back|work=Birmingham Mail|page=85|date=21 November 1996|access-date=26 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> He was chosen by England's coach David Lloyd in June 1998,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002139/19980601/039/0039|title=Cottam for England|work=Birmingham Mail|page=39|date=1 June 1998|access-date=24 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> a role he maintained until 2001;{{sfn|Wilde|2018|page=494}} He expressed his "utter disappointment" in being replaced by Graham Dilley for England's winter tours to New Zealand and India.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005576/20010825/782/0051|title=Cottam is Discarded|work=Express & Star|location=Wolverhampton|page=51|access-date=21 August 2001|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> During his time with England, he developed the new ball bowling pair of Andy Caddick and Darren Gough, and helped Dominic Cork rediscover the ability to swing the ball.<ref name="PRO"/> In March 2005, Cottam joined Scotland's coaching staff ahead of the 2005 ICC Trophy,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/scotland-appoint-cottam-146573|title=Scotland Appoint Cottam|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|date=31 March 2005|access-date=24 May 2026}}</ref> and in December of the same year he was coaching at the International Cricket Council's Winter Training Centre in Pretoria.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/cottam-s-secret-of-eternal-youth-227934|title=Cottam's Secret of Eternal Youth|first=John|last=Long|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|date=1 December 2005|access-date=24 May 2026}}</ref>
==Personal life== Cottam has been married twice, firstly to Jackie,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004973/19690122/011/0011|title=MCC Team Top Heavy, Says Ames|work=Western Daily Press|location=Bristol|page=11|date=22 January 1969|access-date=25 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> and secondly to Yvonne.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004841/19970111/031/0031|title=A Bit of a Bum Note to End on for Music Man Tom|work=Torbay Express and South Devon Echo|location=Torquay|date=11 January 1997|access-date=25 May 2026|url-access=subscription|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> He has three sons: Andy, David, and Michael.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1/1325/1325.html|title=Bob Cottam|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=25 May 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Andy played first-class cricket for Derbyshire and Somerset,{{sfn|Bateman|1993|page=43}}{{sfn|Martin-Jenkins|1996|page=204}} while Michael played minor counties cricket for Devon.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/34/34543/34543.html|title=Michael Cottam|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=25 May 2026|url-access=subscription}}</ref> As of 2023, Cottam was living in Dartmouth, Devon.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dartmouth-today.co.uk/news/yvonne-is-coronation-champion-610825|title=Yvonne is Coronation Champion|first=Richard|last=Harding|publisher=Dartmouth Chronicle|location=Kingsbridge|date=4 May 2023|access-date=25 May 2026}}</ref>
==Notes and references== ===Notes=== {{reflist|group=note}}
===References=== {{reflist}}
==Works cited== *{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/arlottoncricketh0000arlo|title=Arlott on Cricket: His Writings on the Game|first=John|last=Arlott|author-link=John Arlott|publisher=Fontana|location=London|year=1985|isbn=978-0-0063-7007-9|language=en|via=Internet Archive}} *{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/ifcapfits0000unse|title=If the Cap Fits|first=Colin|last=Bateman|publisher=Tony Williams Publications|location=Harrow|year=1993|isbn=978-1-8698-3321-3|language=en|via=Internet Archive}} *{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/englandtestcrick0000frin|title=England Test Cricketers: The Complete Record from 1877|first=Bill|last=Frindall|author-link=Bill Frindall|publisher=Willow|location=London|year=1989|isbn=978-0-0021-8339-0|language=en|via=Internet Archive}} *{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/worldcricketersb0000mart|title=World Cricketers: A Biographical Dictionary|first=Christopher|last=Martin-Jenkins|author-link=Christopher Martin-Jenkins|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=1996|isbn=978-0-1921-0005-4|language=en|via=Internet Archive}} *{{cite book|url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/England_The_Biography/AjjeDQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0|title=England: The Biography|first=Simon|last=Wilde|author-link=Simon Wilde|publisher=Simon & Schuster|location=London|year=2018|isbn=978-1-4711-5486-7|language=en}} *{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/cricketrace0000will|title=Cricket and Race|first=Jack|last=Williams|publisher=Berg Publishers|location=Oxford|year=2001|isbn=978-1-8597-3304-2|language=en|via=Internet Archive}} *{{cite book|url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Cricket_and_England/dUMsBgAAQBAJ|title=Cricket and England: A Cultural and Social History of Cricket in England Between the Wars|first=Jack|last=Williams|publisher=Taylor & Francis|location=Milton Park|year=2012|isbn=978-1-1363-1713-2|language=en}}
==External links== *{{ESPNcricinfo|id=10824}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cottam, Bob}} Category:1944 births Category:Living people Category:Sportspeople from Cleethorpes Category:People educated at Alperton Community School Category:People educated at The Piggott School Category:English cricketers Category:England Test cricketers Category:Hampshire cricketers Category:Marylebone Cricket Club cricketers Category:Marylebone Cricket Club President's XI cricketers Category:Northamptonshire cricketers Category:Marylebone Cricket Club Touring Team cricketers Category:T. N. Pearce's XI cricketers Category:Devon cricketers Category:English cricket coaches