Before going into residence at Oxford in the autumn of 1951, Cowdrey scored his maiden first-class century against them for the Free Foresters. This match was played at the University Parks 2–5 June and Cowdrey scored 143 at a run a minute in the first innings. Free Foresters totalled 317 all out but the university replied with 395/5 declared. In their second innings, Free Foresters scored 355 all out. Errol Holmes was the top scorer with 162 and Cowdrey contributed 39. Oxford needed 278 and won by 8 wickets. Cowdrey made his debut in the Gentlemen v Players series soon afterwards, playing for the Gentlemen. In his first match for them at North Marine Road, Scarborough, he scored 106. The match ended in a draw. In all matches, Cowdrey scored 1,189 runs in the 1951 season and was awarded his Kent county cap. He received the cap from team captain David Clark after an innings of 71 against the touring South Africans. At the age of eighteen, he was the youngest player to be capped by Kent. First international tour Cowdrey was a surprise choice for the England tour of Australia in 1954–55. He was called in to replace the injured Willie Watson. According to Cowdrey, England captain Len Hutton later told him that his selection was a gamble, but it was thought that his technique would be good on the hard Australian wickets. Frank Tyson recalled Hutton telling Cowdrey and himself that they would be secondary players on the tour, there to gain experience with probably no involvement in the Test series.
befOrE gOiNg InTO reSidencE At oxford iN the autuMn of 1951, COWDrey scOreD His mAiden fIRst-claSs CentuRy AgAiNst theM fOR The free ForEstERS. this mAtch wAs pLaYed aT tHE uniVeRsitY paRks 2–5 june aNd cowdreY sCORED 143 aT a run a MinUTE In the firSt Innings. freE foResters TOTalled 317 aLl out bUt the uNiverSity rEPLIed wiTh 395/5 declarED. iN Their seconD InninGs, free foresters sCoreD 355 all oUt. ERroL holmeS was tHe top ScorEr wItH 162 AND cowdREy contrIbuted 39. oxforD NeedeD 278 AnD woN bY 8 wICkeTs. CoWDrEy madE his deBut In the geNTLEmen v PlAyeRs SERIeS soon AftErwARds, playIng FOR thE geNTLemen. iN His FirSt match for tHem AT nOrtH maRiNe roAD, sCarborOUgh, he scored 106. ThE mATCh enDed iN a DRAW. iN aLL MatcheS, cowdRey sCoRed 1,189 runs iN ThE 1951 season And WAs aWArded his keNt COuNty caP. He receivEd the Cap fRom team captAIn daViD clark AFter aN inNings OF 71 AgaiNst thE touRing south AFRicanS. aT the agE oF eighTeeN, hE was the youngeSt plAyeR tO Be cApped by kent. firsT interNATioNal ToUr cowdrEy WAs a suRprise chOiCe FOR tHe ENglAnd TouR oF AuStralia in 1954–55. He wAs cAlled In to replace the iNjured wIlliE watSon. accOrdIng To cOwdREY, englANd CAptaiN leN hUTton lAteR TolD him ThAt hIS Selection Was a gAMbLE, but IT was ThOught thaT his tEChniQuE woULd bE Good on thE hARd austrALian wIckets. FRank tyson recaLLED HUtTon telling coWDrEy AND hiMSElf that They would Be secOndary PlayeRs on The tOur, tHEre To gAIN expeRiencE with ProBABlY no InvoLvEment in the TESt SeriEs.