David Gower
![](/Images/godic/202501/08/David_Gower1618.jpg")
![Despite a prolific scoring career, Gower is often best remembered for his languid, laid-back approach both on and off the field.[3] In 1991 he buzzed an England warm-up match with a biplane, an action for which he was reprimanded.[23]](/Images/godic/202501/08/WCAM_Tiger_Moth1618.jpg")
![Gower batting for England in a Test match at Trent Bridge in 1981. Terry Alderman is bowling, with Ian Botham at the other end. There are four slips and two gulleys fielding to the left of Rod Marsh. Despite one score of 89 during the series, Gower failed to consistently perform, and thus the Australian team have set this very attacking field.](/Images/godic/202501/08/Gowerbatting1618.jpg")
![Gower (far right) with fellow commentators Willis and Botham, politicians Alastair Campbell and James Erskine.](/Images/godic/202501/08/CampbellBothamWillisErskineGower1618.jpg")
David Ivon Gower OBE (born 1 April 1957) is a former English cricketer who became the captain of the England cricket team during the 1980s. Described as one of the most stylish left-handed batsmen of the his era, Gower played 117 Test matches and 114 One Day Internationals (ODI) scoring 8,231 and 3170 runs, respectively. He was one of the most capped and high scoring players for England during his period.