Batsman Fabian Cowdrey believes he needs to take his chances after playing for Cardiff MCCU against Kent last week.

The 20 year old former Tonbridge School pupil is carving out his own career in the game after following in the footsteps of grandfather Colin, father Chris and uncle Graham who all played for the county.

Now at Cardiff University for the next three years, Cowdrey is looking to combine his studies, whilst playing as much cricket as possible.

In the past month, Cowdrey made his first class debut for Cardiff MCCU against Glamorgan, top scoring with 62 and opened the batting for the uni side against Kent at Canterbury last week, making 23 not out on Wednesday, with play on Thursday and Friday wiped out due to rain.

Having played against his own club side, Cowdrey was left to reflect on a strange few weeks:

“I didn’t expect to firstly make my first class debut for Cardiff uni as I wasn’t down to be going until about six months ago and to come back to the St Lawrence Ground for my second first class game was a bit surreal.”

“I can’t believe I’ve played against my club, but it’s happened and I’ve got to use the opportunity.”

“It’s very strange that our county got drawn against Glamorgan and Kent as they were the two sides my old man decided to play for, but I guess it is a weird kind of opportunity for me.”

After deciding late to go to university last year, Cowdrey is now hoping to take the opportunity to get a great education, but would happily come back to Kent if called upon:

“It took me by surprise in the first couple of months, but I’ve got my head down and done some hard work on my cricket and just so the coaches are happy, I’ve done a bit of work in the classroom as well.”

“I think it has really benefited my cricket and I can’t stress enough how happy I am to finally get first class cricket and get a few runs under my belt.”

“The scheme works that if I get called back for first team games, I can come home, but looking at that side and that batting line up, it’s going to be pretty tough and keep grinding away and if for whatever reason I am called back, I have got to take my opportunity.”

He went on to explain that the reason to go to Cardiff was a balanced decision and one he hopes will pay off in the long run:

“The chances I didn’t think were directly coming at Kent at the start of this year and I’ve still got a lot to prove in terms of runs and wickets.”

“Like Daniel Bell-Drummond’s done, he’s taken his chance and luckily enough with my Cardiff MCCU position I get first class exposure.”

After facing both Charlie Shreck and Mark Davies in the 12 over spell on Wednesday, Cowdrey admitted it was strange to face team-mates, but there was no let up on the sledging given his family history:

“The boys did give me a bit of ribbing as there is Cowdrey Place, the Cowdrey Stand and effectively the Cowdrey end.”

“I had a year of it last year and admittedly I did feel a bit of pressure, but I’m just trying to enjoy it this year and I’m playing for myself and not my old man, my uncle or my grandad.”

“I’m definitely prone to a bit of banter and Charlie Shreck and Mark Davies both like to get stuck into me anyway, so when you’re out there playing against them, it’s not that much different.”

“It was nice to get through and they were nice to me when the final ball of the day was bowled.”

With Daniel Bell-Drummond nailed down to bat at five in the County Championship side against Leicestershire this week, Cowdrey hopes to follow in his footsteps in the long run and secure a place in the Kent side:

“He played really well and deserves everything he gets as he works extremely hard. It’s good to see him getting runs and I don’t mind watching him from the other end.”

“It’s nice to see the young lads getting the chance and as the season progresses, who knows, I might get a little sniff as well.”

“They are not afraid to give you chances and he’s earnt it outright, he deserves his place and deserves it even more with that ton.”

“If I can replicate that at some point over the next couple of years, then who knows, I might be where he is.”

Main picture supplied by www.sarahansellphotography.com