He obtained a law degree, a coaching certificate and earned international honours at youth level in both cricket and rugby union.

Kent shared the 1977 County Championship and won the competition outright in 1978 but Downton became frustrated deputising for Alan Knott in the 1979 season and moved to Middlesex in 1980.

[4] However he was also, along with David Gower, Allan Lamb and Ian Botham, one of only four England cricketers ever present during the "Blackwash" series defeats against the West Indies of 1984 and 1985-6.

A trustworthy, affable and resourceful team member, Downton played a starring role in Middlesex's successes in the 1980s; they won the County Championship on four occasions from 1980-90.

On 16 October 2013, Downton was appointed to the position of Managing Director of the England and Wales Cricket Board with effect from 1 February 2014.

He replaced Hugh Morris who resigned to become chief executive and managing director of Glamorgan County Cricket Club.