Cowdrey recovering from heart attack

Former England player Chris Cowdrey is recovering from surgery after a heart attack last week.

The Professional Cricketers’ Association issued a statement on behalf of ex-Kent stalwart Cowdrey, confirming that he suffered the heart attack while in hospital for stitches in a knee injury. Cowdrey is the son of the legendary Colin, who died of a heart attack in December 2000.

Chris played six Tests and three one-day internationals for his country and represented Kent for 16 years at domestic level.

The 53-year-old said: “People always said I was a lucky player.

“Well, if you’re going to have a heart attack anywhere, the middle of a hospital is probably it.

“I only went there to have three stitches in my knee. I suppose this is all about doing too much of what I shouldn’t have been doing and not enough of what I should have been doing for the last 30 years.

“I hate letting people down, pulling out of dinners and speaking engagements is not my style.

“But I hope everyone will understand that my priority is getting back to full health and that I have to take it easy.”