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Paul Downton was a surprise choice for Mike Brearley's England tour of
Pakistan and New Zealand in 1977-78, being chosen as understudy to Bob
Taylor after just half a season with Kent. His father, George, had
played in eight matches for Kent in 1948, and Paul was given his chance
by the county after Alan Knott signed for World Series Cricket. On the
return of Knott Downton moved to Middlesex and had to wait until the
West Indies tour of 1981 to make his Test debut. He was immediately
dropped in favour of David Bairstow, who lasted one match before Downton
returned.
That was his last international cricket until Taylor's
retirement and the West Indies series of 1984. Downton had to open the
batting in the second innings of the first Test after Andy Lloyd was
incapacitated by an eye-injury. He rose to the occasion by scoring 56.
On David Gower's Indian tour of 1984-85 he scored 37 not out and 62 in
the first Test in Bombay and 74 in England's victory in Delhi when he
was second top scorer to Tim Robinson's 160. Against Australia in 1985
he scored 54 at Headingley, but was less successful in the torrid West
Indies series in the spring of 1986.
He was dropped along with his
captain in 1986, but returned for the World Cup in 1987, when he was
part of the England team that lost to Australia in the final, and played
against the West Indies in 1988 until replaced by Jack Richards. His
career was ended by an eye injury caused by a flying bail. (Bob Harragan)
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