Eric Alfred Burchell Rowan was born in Johannesburg on 20 July 1909 and grew up in Troyeville, where the youngsters played cricket in the streets with a cardboard box anchored down by a brick as the wicket and a brick at the other end to mark the bowlers crease.
Soft rubber balls were in great demand so as not to break windows. Tennis balls, with too much bounce, were a second choice but would suffice if needed.
The games were anything but pleasant and many an argument broke out about whether a batsman was out or not. There were obviously no umpires. The young Eric Rowan entered into these games with gusto and stood his ground on all occasions, even against older boys. The dreadful call from a parent to come inside and do your homework, or to come for supper, ended the games.
