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An injury to Alfred Mynn, on this day, 1836, led to batting pads becoming mainstream in cricket.
Before that, however, the 6'2", 135 kg (150 in later years) Mynn played a really brave innings.
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Before that, however, the 6'2", 135 kg (150 in later years) Mynn played a really brave innings.
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Fuller Pilch was the greatest pre-Grace batsman, but Mynn – The Lion of Kent, they used to call him – was probably more popular.
He also bowled (roundarm) – in fact, he was among the fastest of the era.
In 100 Greatest Cricketers of all time, John Woodcock put him at fourth.
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He also bowled (roundarm) – in fact, he was among the fastest of the era.
In 100 Greatest Cricketers of all time, John Woodcock put him at fourth.
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Just before the match began, a 'Leicestershire professional' (not clear who) hit the ball very hard during practice.
It hit Mynn on the ankle.
Mynn was sent back to Anchor Inn, his steadily swelling ankle in a bandage.
Thankfully, his team (South) batted out the first day.
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It hit Mynn on the ankle.
Mynn was sent back to Anchor Inn, his steadily swelling ankle in a bandage.
Thankfully, his team (South) batted out the first day.
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Batting with a runner, he scored 21 not out on the next morning.
By the third morning the leg "had swollen alarmingly, and a normal being would have withdrawn from the match." (Frith, The Fast Men)
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By the third morning the leg "had swollen alarmingly, and a normal being would have withdrawn from the match." (Frith, The Fast Men)
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Samuel Redgate used to bowl as fast as Mynn, and hit him multiple times. But Mynn, batting virtually on one leg, scored 125 not out.
According to Bill Frindall, it was the first First-Class hundred scored with a runner.
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According to Bill Frindall, it was the first First-Class hundred scored with a runner.
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Frith: "A fearful sight met their eyes as Mynn removed his trousers. The leg, usually the size of Goliath’s, was grotesque from swelling and inflammation. It was unbelievable that a man could have stood on it, let alone batted – against Redgate – for five hours."
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Mynn had to be carried to London for treatment.
They arranged for a stagecoach (a four-wheeled four-horse coach used for long journeys).
But that humongous frame could not fit inside (he could not move his leg).
So he had to be placed on, and tied to, the roof.
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They arranged for a stagecoach (a four-wheeled four-horse coach used for long journeys).
But that humongous frame could not fit inside (he could not move his leg).
So he had to be placed on, and tied to, the roof.
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The distance was about a hundred miles.
The leg survived.
Leg-guards (pads) had been used before in cricket, but they were generally looked down upon by purists.
(I am sure old-timers used to say "X may be greater, but Y faced fast bowlers without a leg-guard!")
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The leg survived.
Leg-guards (pads) had been used before in cricket, but they were generally looked down upon by purists.
(I am sure old-timers used to say "X may be greater, but Y faced fast bowlers without a leg-guard!")
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Mynn's injury did what the increasing popularity of round-arm bowling had failed to do: pads became mainstream.
