From the archives: the Bodyline series

Harold Larwood and Don Bradman may have been the lead characters in the bodyline drama but in the fourth Test, when England won back the Ashes in Brisbane, they were upstaged by Eddie Paynter, a shy and modest Lancastrian, who was so unworldly wise that he had not touched alcohol until, at the age of 30, he had to be persuaded by Larwood to try a shandy on the boat to Australia in 1932.

The tale of Paynter suffering from tonsillitis after the Test had begun, being admitted to hospital and then checking himself out to hurry to the Gabba to save England reminds us that this series is fascinating for more than bodyline bowling. Douglas Jardine, the England captain, was unimpressed that the batsman had fallen ill after the toss, although it is understandable why Paynter wanted to risk playing. It was only his fourth match for his country and, having made 77 in the third Test in Adelaide, rescuing England from 186 for five in their first innings, he was in good form.

Despite a temperature of 102F (about 39C), Paynter was needed for another rescue mission in Brisbane. Replying to Australia’s first innings of 340, England made an opening stand of 114, but then wickets tumbled. Listening to the match on the wireless in hospital, Paynter realised that England needed him and, still wearing his dressing-gown, he took a taxi to the ground. He had perhaps been stung by Jardine’s suggestion that he should bat even if on crutches and remember “those fellows who marched to Kandahar [in 1880] with fever on them”.

Paynter went out to bat at No 8, with England 216 for six, refused Australia’s offer of a runner and was 24 not out at the close, returning sheepishly to hospital for a ticking-off from the ward sister. He went back to the ground the next day to take his innings to 83 and give England a slender, crucial lead. Larwood and Co dismissed Australia for 175, leaving England needing 160 to win and, with 22 required and six wickets in hand, out went Paynter again. Rain was threatening, so he ended it briskly with 14 off 11 balls, winning the match and the Ashes with a six.

Paynter would go on to play 20 Tests, averaging 59.23 and scoring two double hundreds. Yet he might not have got his chance if Duleepsinhji, originally selected for the MCC squad in 1932, had not contracted pulmonary tuberculosis. On such twists of fate were the Ashes regained.