Howard was chosen to lead the side to the sub-continent largely because he was the best available amateur[1] (Len Hutton became the first professional England captain of the 20th century a few months later) and a successful leader of Lancashire (1949–53).
As well as performing well at cricket, Howard was also a capable golfer and hockey player, representing Cheshire in both sports.
Playing against Middlesex, Howard batted at number four and made scores of 4 and 3 as Lancashire won by seven wickets.
[4] This included his only century of the year; he made 145 against Derbyshire, the highest score of his career,[2] and was awarded his county cap in 1948.
[2] He led the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) most capably on, and equally importantly in view of the considerable diplomatic demands of those times, off the field, during the tour to India in 1951-52.