[3] After going up to Cambridge University in 1957, Howland played for the University cricket team for three years, making a total of 48 first-class appearances for the side,[3] having found himself in the Cambridge side following the death of the Australian Brian Swift prior to the 1958 season.
He captained the team in his final year and gained his Blue in 1958, playing in all three University Matches against Oxford whilst he was a student.
[3][4] He played twice for Kent County Cricket Club in 1965 and made his last first-class appearance against Ireland in Dublin in 1968.
[4] His brother, Peter Howland, also played first-class cricket for Cambridge University in 1969.
[4] In 1983 Howland joined the fledgling cable television sports channel Screensport as marketing director.