Eddie Paynter was born on this day, 1901.
Everyone knows his remarkable story during the Bodyline series.
It has few parallels in the history of international cricket.
But first, two numbers.
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Everyone knows his remarkable story during the Bodyline series.
It has few parallels in the history of international cricket.
But first, two numbers.
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His Test batting average of 59.23 is the sixth-best with a 1,500-run cut-off.
His Ashes batting average of 84.42 is the second-best with a 500-run cut-off.
Remember, this was the 1930s, when the Ashes was the contest to watch out for.
Yes, he could bat.
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His Ashes batting average of 84.42 is the second-best with a 500-run cut-off.
Remember, this was the 1930s, when the Ashes was the contest to watch out for.
Yes, he could bat.
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Paynter replaced "conscientious objector" Pataudi for the controversial Adelaide Test, where Woodfull and Oldfield were both hit.
He scored 77 and 1* and fielded brilliantly.
However, he injured his ankle when he crashed into the picket fence while trying to save a ball.
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He scored 77 and 1* and fielded brilliantly.
However, he injured his ankle when he crashed into the picket fence while trying to save a ball.
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He ignored the doctor's instructions when he came to bat in the second innings.
It would not be the last time.
Australia reached 251/3 on Day 1.
The temperature on that day was an estimated 102°F/39°C, and the relentless sun wore the cricketers down.
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It would not be the last time.
Australia reached 251/3 on Day 1.
The temperature on that day was an estimated 102°F/39°C, and the relentless sun wore the cricketers down.
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Paynter, never one to give his feet a rest, came off with a sore throat.
The situation aggravated in the evening.
His health deteriorated.
His temperature soared to an alarming 102°F.
He had to be rushed to Brisbane General Hospital.
He was diagnosed with tonsillitis.
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The situation aggravated in the evening.
His health deteriorated.
His temperature soared to an alarming 102°F.
He had to be rushed to Brisbane General Hospital.
He was diagnosed with tonsillitis.
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There was no question of him taking field on Day 2.
After Australia collapsed to 340, Sutcliffe and Jardine batted till stumps. England were 99/0.
This was followed by the rest day.
Jardine had expected Paynter to be fit after that, but he was in no condition to play.
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After Australia collapsed to 340, Sutcliffe and Jardine batted till stumps. England were 99/0.
This was followed by the rest day.
Jardine had expected Paynter to be fit after that, but he was in no condition to play.
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Jardine had visited Paynter at the hospital on the rest day: "He was the first to agree with me that if he had to break bounds and bat on crutches he would do so, were it humanly possible and without a thought for the consequences."
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Manager Plum Warner asked for updates on Paynter.
Jardine responded: "What about those fellows who marched to Kandahar with fever on them?"
For Jardine, cricket meant nothing less than war.
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Jardine responded: "What about those fellows who marched to Kandahar with fever on them?"
For Jardine, cricket meant nothing less than war.
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Voce, ruled out of the Test with an injury, kept Paynter company as cricket went underway.
The radio was on.
As a couple of wickets went down, Paynter asked Voce to call a taxi.
Once that happened, he sprinted in his dressing gown.
He was interrupted by a nurse.
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The radio was on.
As a couple of wickets went down, Paynter asked Voce to call a taxi.
Once that happened, he sprinted in his dressing gown.
He was interrupted by a nurse.
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She asked where they were headed for. Paynter confessed.
"She said if we must, we were doing it at our own risk and neither she nor the doctor would be responsible for our action."
Paynter obviously left.
He arrived when England were 198/5. Allen had just joined Ames.
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"She said if we must, we were doing it at our own risk and neither she nor the doctor would be responsible for our action."
Paynter obviously left.
He arrived when England were 198/5. Allen had just joined Ames.
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Once the England cricketers overcame their shock, they sprung into action.
A warm shower and a diet of eggs, brandy, and champagne later, Paynter was ready for war.
Allen fell on 216. And Paynter walked out, wisely in a broad-brimmed sun-hat.
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A warm shower and a diet of eggs, brandy, and champagne later, Paynter was ready for war.
Allen fell on 216. And Paynter walked out, wisely in a broad-brimmed sun-hat.
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Woodfull now walked up to Paynter: would he need a runner?
Paynter refused.
Ames fell 9 runs later, but Paynter hung on.
He added 55 with Larwood. England finished the day on 271/8, still 69 behind.
Paynter returned to hospital in his dressing-gown.
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Paynter refused.
Ames fell 9 runs later, but Paynter hung on.
He added 55 with Larwood. England finished the day on 271/8, still 69 behind.
Paynter returned to hospital in his dressing-gown.
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The nurse was probably impressed: "Well done, now get into bed."
Paynter arrived next day with "pockets bulging with tablets and gargle mixture" (Frith).
He took two tablet-and-gargle breaks on field.
He batted for almost four hours for his 83. England led by 16.
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Paynter arrived next day with "pockets bulging with tablets and gargle mixture" (Frith).
He took two tablet-and-gargle breaks on field.
He batted for almost four hours for his 83. England led by 16.
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Australian fans, whom Jardine had turned into staunch England haters at Adelaide, stood up and applauded.
The fielders joined in.
England needed only 160 to regain The Ashes, but the Australians reduced them to a crawl.
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The fielders joined in.
England needed only 160 to regain The Ashes, but the Australians reduced them to a crawl.
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Paynter then came out at 138/4 and finished things off with two sixes.
He was probably the only popular tourist in that series.
The locals even arranged a testimonial, but our man was so shy that he requested Leyland and Duckworth to accompany him when he received the cheque.
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He was probably the only popular tourist in that series.
The locals even arranged a testimonial, but our man was so shy that he requested Leyland and Duckworth to accompany him when he received the cheque.
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There was a surprise waiting for Paynter at midnight.
The Telephone and Telegraph Exhibition at Manchester had arranged for a rare international call (this was 1933).
Paynter, the toast of the nation, could talk to his wife.
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The Telephone and Telegraph Exhibition at Manchester had arranged for a rare international call (this was 1933).
Paynter, the toast of the nation, could talk to his wife.
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His name came up in the House of Commons next day amidst tumultuous cheer.
Lancashire captain later Peter Eckersley arranged for a dinner in his honour.
The man who had braved near-fatal tonsilitis now seemed to face the challenge of his life:
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Lancashire captain later Peter Eckersley arranged for a dinner in his honour.
The man who had braved near-fatal tonsilitis now seemed to face the challenge of his life:
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"Ah can't mak' any speech. Ah can only say thanks. Ah did me best at Brisbane for England an' for Lancashire.
"But as for talk about mi leaving' a sick-bed at risk of mi dyin' – well, beggin' your pardon, Mr Eckersley, that were all rot. It were nowt more than a sore throat."
"But as for talk about mi leaving' a sick-bed at risk of mi dyin' – well, beggin' your pardon, Mr Eckersley, that were all rot. It were nowt more than a sore throat."
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