Buster Nupen, South African cricketer and lawyer (d. 1977)

Eiulf Peter "Buster" Nupen: A Cricket Legend Forged by Resilience

Eiulf Peter "Buster" Nupen, born on 1 January 1902 and passing away on 29 January 1977, was an iconic South African cricketer whose career spanned from the 1921–22 season to 1935–36. A right-arm leg-break bowler, Nupen represented South Africa in 17 Test matches, the pinnacle of international cricket, making a significant impact despite facing extraordinary challenges throughout his life and career.

Early Life and Unyielding Adversity

Nupen's unique journey began in Norway, a highly uncommon birthplace for a South African Test cricketer of his era. His path was marked by profound physical adversities from a young age that would have ended many careers before they even began. As a child, he tragically lost an eye in an accident, an injury that inherently altered his depth perception and visual field. Later, at the tender age of 20, he endured another severe trauma when he was shot through both knees. These debilitating injuries make his subsequent achievements in a demanding sport like cricket, which requires exceptional coordination and physical prowess, truly remarkable and a testament to his sheer resilience and determination.

Dominance on Matting Wickets

During the late 1920s, Buster Nupen established himself as a formidable force for Transvaal, one of South Africa's premier domestic cricket teams. He was particularly lethal against opposing batsmen on matting wickets, which were prevalent in South Africa during that period. These wickets, made from coir or coconut fibre laid over a hard surface, offered different playing conditions compared to the natural turf pitches common elsewhere, often assisting spin and variable bounce. Nupen's bowling on these surfaces had evolved into a "fine art," suggesting a mastery of line, length, and spin that consistently outfoxed even skilled opponents. His ability to exploit the characteristics of matting wickets made him an indispensable and feared bowler in South African domestic cricket.

A Transformative Test Captaincy: 1930-31 Against England

The 1930–31 season proved to be a pivotal moment in Nupen's career and in South African cricket history. Due to the poor form of the then-established captain, Nummy Deane, Nupen was unexpectedly chosen to lead the South African Test team against a touring England side. He embraced this challenge with considerable skill, demonstrating astute leadership and tactical acumen, which significantly influenced the team's performance.

This series also saw Nupen produce the finest bowling performances of his Test career, underlining his capability on the international stage:

The Enigma of Turf Pitches

Despite his undeniable brilliance and match-winning performances on matting wickets, Buster Nupen faced a curious challenge regarding his selection on turf pitches. It was widely believed that his effectiveness diminished considerably on these natural grass surfaces, which typically offer more consistent bounce and less assistance to spin than matting. This perception led to his omission from the Third and Fifth Tests of the 1930-31 series against England, notably the first two Test matches played on turf wickets in South Africa. This stark contrast in selection reflects the unique cricketing conditions of the era and the specific challenges faced by players proficient on different pitch types.

A Stellar Domestic Career with Transvaal

Beyond his Test heroics, Nupen's domestic record for Transvaal in the Currie Cup, South Africa's premier first-class cricket competition, was nothing short of phenomenal. The year following his Test captaincy, he achieved his best-ever domestic season, claiming an impressive 43 wickets for just 434 runs, showcasing his consistent wicket-taking ability and economy. This included an outstanding match performance against Griqualand West where he took 9 wickets for 48 runs in one innings and 7 wickets for 88 runs in the other, resulting in a remarkable 16-wicket haul for the match – a rare and celebrated feat in cricket.

His overall Currie Cup statistics for Transvaal underscore his domestic dominance:

Beyond the Boundary: A Life as an Attorney

Beyond his prolific cricketing career, Eiulf Peter Nupen led an equally distinguished professional life. He received his education at the esteemed King Edward VII School in Johannesburg, a prominent institution known for its academic and sporting excellence. Following his studies, Nupen pursued a career in law, practising as a successful attorney in Johannesburg for an impressive 45 years. This long and distinguished legal career demonstrates his dedication, intellect, and ability to excel in demanding fields both on and off the cricket field, making him a truly multifaceted individual.

Frequently Asked Questions About Buster Nupen

When was Buster Nupen born and when did he pass away?
Eiulf Peter "Buster" Nupen was born on 1 January 1902 and passed away on 29 January 1977.
What made Buster Nupen's cricketing career particularly remarkable?
His career was extraordinary due to severe physical adversities he overcame; he lost an eye in childhood and was shot through both knees at age 20, yet still achieved Test match success for South Africa.
Which type of cricket wickets was Buster Nupen most effective on?
Nupen was exceptionally effective on matting wickets, which were common in South Africa during his playing era. His bowling style was less favoured on turf pitches.
Did Buster Nupen ever captain the South African Test team?
Yes, he captained the South African Test team against England during the 1930–31 season, leading with skill and achieving his best Test bowling figures during this period.
What were some of Buster Nupen's most impressive bowling figures in domestic cricket?
In the Currie Cup, he took 190 wickets for Transvaal at an average of 12.92. His best single-match performance included figures of 9 for 48 and 7 for 88 against Griqualand West, resulting in 16 wickets for the match.
What was Buster Nupen's profession outside of cricket?
Eiulf Peter Nupen was a practising attorney in Johannesburg for 45 years, demonstrating a successful career in law alongside his cricketing achievements.