 Johnston 's next international assignment was the 1949 – 50 tour to South Africa . The tour started badly ; after taking a total of 5 / 28 in an innings win over Zululand in a non @-@ first @-@ class match , he fell asleep at the wheel outside Durban following a team function . He missed a turn , skidded across gravel and flipped and crashed his car . After a few hours , medical help arrived and Johnston was hospitalised . The team manager Chappie Dwyer was mistakenly informed that Johnston had died , and the bowler later described his injury as a " nine @-@ iron divot in the top of my skull " . Johnston started coughing up blood , and he and Dwyer sought to have the accident private . However , news was leaked back to Australia , and Johnston 's mother fainted ; her husband and other son had already died and she was fearful that her lone remaining relative had joined them . After complaining of chest pain , it was later discovered that Johnston had two broken ribs and he had to rest further . 
