Full name Paul Rupert Downton
Born April 4, 1957, Farnborough, Kent
Current age 61 years 22 days
Major teams England, Kent, Middlesex
Nickname Nobby
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Right-arm offbreak
Fielding position Wicketkeeper
Height 5 ft 10 in
Education Sevenoaks School; Exeter University
Relation Father - GC Downton
Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | Ct | St | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tests ![]() |
30 | 48 | 8 | 785 | 74 | 19.62 | 2676 | 29.33 | 0 | 4 | 67 | 0 | 70 | 5 |
ODIs ![]() |
28 | 20 | 5 | 242 | 44* | 16.13 | 358 | 67.59 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 26 | 3 |
First-class | 314 | 405 | 76 | 8270 | 126* | 25.13 | 6 | 45 | 690 | 89 | ||||
List A | 297 | 212 | 64 | 3349 | 80* | 22.62 | 0 | 9 | 281 | 64 |
Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tests ![]() |
30 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
ODIs ![]() |
28 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
First-class | 314 | 55 | 9 | 1 | 1/4 | 9.00 | 0.98 | 55.0 | 0 | 0 | |||
List A | 297 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Test debut | West Indies v England at Port of Spain, Feb 13-18, 1981 scorecard |
Last Test | England v West Indies at Manchester, Jun 30-Jul 5, 1988 scorecard |
Test statistics | |
ODI debut | Pakistan v England at Sahiwal, Dec 23, 1977 scorecard |
Last ODI | England v West Indies at Lord's, May 23-24, 1988 scorecard |
ODI statistics | |
First-class span | 1977 - 1991 |
List A span | 1977 - 1991 |
Paul Downton was a constantly cheerful character on the field, well-liked by his fellow professionals, and coped with the constant sniping of the press during his 30 England appearances with good grace. He was unfortunate that he followed two outstanding keepers - Alan Knott and Bob Taylor - and was, unfairly, viewed as an establishment figure. But behind the stumps he was a calming influence in a Middlesex side packed with big names, a side with whom he played the majority of his career. On retiring in 1991 he forged a successful career in the City and was appointed managing director of England cricket in October 2013.