So deep has Edward Paynter’s name been etched in the history of the sport due to his courage in the Bodyline series and his extraordinary career numbers that the fact that he was a gifted stroke-player is usually forgotten. Relying mostly on back-foot strokes, he could hook and pull ferociously, and his experience of playing at Old Trafford meant that he could handle swing as well.
Paynter was also a gifted player of spin; unlike most others he was never reluctant to play his strokes and to step out of the crease and even swept the ball mercilessly, which was one of the most important reasons of his success against the likes of Bill O’Reilly. Few batsmen of the era were as attractive as Paynter in full flow. He loved to clear cricket grounds.
Eric Midwinter wrote of him: “A ferocious driver, a batsman who hooked seemingly with both feet off the ground or swept so fiercely that his pad knee-roll always looked tarnished, and one who indulged in what he [Paynter] termed ‘me fancy cuts’, he was highly regarded with affection as well as esteem.”
The main aspect of Paynter was, however, his numbers. With a 20-Test cut-off, Paynter ranks fifth in the history of Test cricket in terms of highest batting averages......
Paynter was also an exceptional fielder: his swiftness and anticipation at cover were well-known, and he was one of the best outfielders of his era: he was one of the safest of catchers and his throw was fast, hard, and almost always accurate.
Eddie Paynter: England?s Bodyline hero who boasts the 5th highest Test batting average - Latest Cricket News, Articles & Videos at CricketCountry.com