Paul Brooks (cricketer)

Paul Wilson Brooks (28 May 1921 – 26 January 1946) was an English cricketer. Brooks was a left-handed batsman who bowled left-arm fast-medium. The son of William James Brooks and Mabel Brooks,[2] he was born at Marylebone, London.

Paul Brooks
Personal information
Full namePaul Wilson Brooks
Born(1921-05-28)28 May 1921
Marylebone, London, England
Died26 January 1946(1946-01-26) (aged 24)
Paddington, London, England
NicknameMr[1]
BattingLeft-handed
BowlingLeft-arm fast-medium
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1939Middlesex
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 1
Runs scored 44
Batting average –
100s/50s –/–
Top score 44*
Balls bowled –
Wickets –
Bowling average –
5 wickets in innings –
10 wickets in match –
Best bowling –
Catches/stumpings –/–
Source: Cricinfo, 14 April 2012

Prior to appearing in first-class cricket, Wilson had played Second XI cricket for Middlesex,[3] and on one notable occasion he bowled the Australian Don Bradman in a practice session at Lord's before the 1938 season began, making him a celebrity for a short time.[4][5][6] The following year he made what was to be his only first-class appearance for Middlesex against Warwickshire in the County Championship at Lord's.[7] This was the final first-class match played by Middlesex that season, and Brooks was drafted into the team after a number of regular players had been drafted into the armed services due to rising tensions with Germany.[8] In a match which Middlesex won by an innings and 200 runs, Brooks batted once, scoring an unbeaten 44.[9]

Military career and death

During the early part of World War II he served in London and Coventry with the National Fire Service during the height of The Blitz.[6][8] He later served in the Coldstream Guards, reaching the rank of lance corporal.[2] While fighting in Italy in April 1945, Brooks was wounded in the spine by a sniper.[8] He never recovered and was bedridden ever after, eventually dying of his injury at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, on the night of 26 January 1946.[6] He was laid to rest at Brompton Cemetery.[2]

References
  1. "Time Never Stands Still". 25 May 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  2. "Brooks, Paul Wilson". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  3. "Teams Paul Brooks played for". CricketArchive. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  4. "BOWLED BRADMAN". Goulburn Evening Penny Post (NSW : 1881 – 1940). NSW: National Library of Australia. 11 May 1938. p. 5 Edition: DAILY. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  5. "Wisden – Obituaries in 1946". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  6. ""Boy Who Bowled Bradman" Dies of War Injuries". The Advocate. 29 January 1946. p. 1. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  7. "First-Class Matches played by Paul Brooks". CricketArchive. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  8. "Player profile: Paul Brooks". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  9. "Middlesex v Warwickshire, 1939 County Championship". CricketArchive. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
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