The cricket world paid a final tribute to one of its finest sons yesterday, as Lord Cowdrey was remembered in a memorial service at Westminster Abbey. The former England captain died in December last year, four months after suffering a stroke.

Lord Cowdrey Photo © Stamp Publicity

A packed congregation was addressed by former Prime Minister and ardent cricket supporter John Major, who was a good friend of Lord Cowdrey. Mr. Major told the congregation that Lord Cowdrey was "one of the world's loveliest men."

"He played life as he played cricket - with a clear eye, a straight bat and a cover drive from heaven," Mr. Major added.

As well as Major, current Conservative Party leader William Hague was amongst the congregation, which included Sir Garfield Sobers, Ian Botham, Mike Gatting and 'Dickie' Bird. Despite the luminaries from the cricketing world, members of the public were encouraged to apply for tickets to the service.

In a Test career that spanned 18 years, Colin Cowdrey made 7624 runs at an average of 44. He was the first player to register 100 Test caps for England, and made 22 of his 107 first-class centuries in Tests.

Michael Colin Cowdrey - his initials MCC suggested his would be a cricketing life - also played in the first one-day international. He made a comeback to the England Test team, aged 42 in an attempt to blunt the Aussies fearsome attack. After his retirement, he took senior roles in the ICC, MCC and at Kent. He also saw his son Christopher skipper England.

© CricInfo Ltd.