A middle-order batsman, Rowe made his first-class cricket debut in 1944–45, and had played six first-class matches for Wellington before being selected for the Test team, having scored 324 runs at an average of 27.00 runs per innings, with his top score of 72 made against OtagoatWellington. He had also scored 102 and 79 in a non-first-class match for Wellington against Canterbury in 1944–45.
In his Test match, also played in Wellington, he was dismissed for a pair, bowled by Bill O'Reilly each time.[5] He is one of the ten players to be dismissed for a pair in their only Test.[6][7] The only other New Zealander in that list is Len Butterfield, who played in the same match.[2]
He played no further first-class matches for six seasons, but returned to captain Central Districts in 1952–53. He had little success with the bat, but in his last match he led the team to an innings victory against Otago, which ensured Central Districts second place in the Plunket Shield.[8]
Rowe was also a hockey player. He represented New Zealand against India in 1938.[10] He scored four goals when Wairarapa defeated the touring Australian team 6–3 at Masterton in August 1948.[11] He retired from representative hockey in 1958.[10]
