{{Short description|South African cricketer (1876–1964)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox cricketer | name = Robert Dower | image = File:Robert Dower.jpg | caption = | fullname = Robert Reid Dower | birth_date = {{Birth date|1876|6|4|df=yes}} | birth_place = Kokstad, Cape Colony | death_date = {{Death date and age|1964|9|15|1876|6|4|df=yes}} | death_place = Cape Town, Cape Province, South Africa | batting = Right-handed | bowling = | club1 = Eastern Province | year1 = {{nowrap|1896/97–1906/07}} | columns = 2 | column1 = Test | matches1 = 1 | runs1 = 9 | bat avg1 = 4.50 | 100s/50s1 = 0/0 | top score1 = 9 | hidedeliveries = true | catches/stumpings1= 2/– | column2 = First-class | matches2 = 6 | runs2 = 82 | bat avg2 = 6.83 | 100s/50s2 = 0/0 | top score2 = 17 | catches/stumpings2= 5/– | international = true | country = South Africa | testdebutagainst = England | testdebutdate = 14 February | testdebutyear = 1899 | onetest = true | source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/44719.html Cricinfo | date = 13 November | year = 2022 }} '''Robert Reid Dower''' (4 June 1876 – 15 September 1964) was a Cape Colony cricketer who played in one Test match in 1899. He was also a lawyer.<ref name=WCA>''Wisden'' 1965, p. 966.</ref>
Dower top-scored in each innings for Eastern Province XV against the touring English team in January 1899, with 30 and 37 as an opening batsman.<ref>{{cite web |title=Eastern Province v Lord Hawke's XI 1898-99 |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/135/135072.html |publisher=CricketArchive |access-date=29 April 2025}}</ref> He was selected to play in the first of two Tests three weeks later, but was not successful batting at number four, and never played another Test.<ref>{{cite web |title=South Africa vs England, 1st Test at Johannesburg, Feb 14 1899 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-south-africa-1898-99-61693/south-africa-vs-england-1st-test-62453/full-scorecard |publisher=Cricinfo |access-date=29 April 2025}}</ref> He played only six first-class matches over 10 years, with a highest score of 17.<ref>{{cite web |title=Robert Dower |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/0/224/224.html |publisher=CricketArchive |access-date=29 April 2025}}</ref>
Dower and his wife Gertrude had four sons and a daughter.<ref>{{cite web|title=Robert Reid Dower|url=https://www.geni.com/people/Robert-Dower/6000000034848300945|website=Geni|accessdate=9 November 2016}}</ref> At the time of his death in September 1964, aged 88, he was South Africa's oldest living Test cricketer.<ref name=WCA/>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{cricinfo|id=44719}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dower, Robert}} Category:1876 births Category:1964 deaths Category:South Africa Test cricketers Category:Eastern Province cricketers Category:Cape Colony cricketers Category:People from Kokstad Category:Cricketers from KwaZulu-Natal
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