Around the time of Cowdrey's inclusion, Gatting had just been sacked for some sex scandal on tour. He'd just captained a couple of home Tests and the selectors picked John Emburey as captain and then Chris Cowdrey. Then England went off to India and gave it back to David Gower. I think that's right....could be wrong.

In one of the broadsheets reporters were talking up the chances of the then uncapped Jack Russell and Kim Barnett who was already a fairly successful county captain and occasional adequate leg-spin bowler.

These reporters were completely baffled by Cowdrey's inclusion in the Test side and distraught at his instant elevation to the captaincy (Mark Nicholas wanted it too).

Somebody remarked (I can't remember who) that Kim Barnett was really the man for the job, but he didn't have the right name...perhaps if he'd been called Cowdrey or Compton or something, he'd've got the job.