THE term “absent hurt” on a cricket scorecard covers a multitude of reasons.

Most common: a broken finger after some unfortunate batsman copped one in the first innings. Or a blow on the bonce. A twisted ankle, perhaps, or an attack of gout.

But when Warwickshire played the Australians at Edgbastion in 1919, the term “absent hurt” next to Crowther Charlesworth’s name on the scorecard harboured a different, perhaps unique, explanation. He was sozzled.

The 44-year-old batsman, a hero of the Bears’ inaugural championship triumph in 1911, liked a drink. So when, on the second morning against the Aussies, heavy rain prevented play, he spotted an opportunity.

It looked nailed-on ‘no play today’ so he headed into Cannon Hill Park and had a jar or two. Or three...

But the weather abruptly brightened and at five to two, back at Edgbaston, play resumed. Australia advanced from 144 for three to 311 all out.

Still there was no sign of Charlesworth. Warwickshire were all out for 68 (“an invertebrate batting exhibition,” reported the Mail) and lost by an innings and 38 runs. Charlesworth, normally No.3, was recorded as “absent hurt.”

Indisciplined stuff? Perhaps. But he was soon forgiven. He was an easy man to forgive.

A measure of the man was the explanation given for his absence. The Mail reported that “Charlesworth was unable to bat due to a strained thigh.”

It’s unclear whether the truth was kept within the club or the press agreed to save the player’s embarrassment.

Either way a protective cordon was thrown around him.

Four days later the Sports Argus reported: “Charlesworth, who has rendered yeoman service to Warwickshire, is suffering from a severe strain which has affected his right leg and thigh badly.

"It is necessary for him to take a rest cure and accordingly he has left Birmingham and gone home to the family circle at Huddersfield. He has been reluctantly compelled to realise that his strain is a severe one.”

The father-figure of Warwickshire’s post-war batting line-up had problems but was wished only well.

For while there may have been cricketers, before and since, as decent and kind as Crowther Charlesworth there have been none more decent and kind.