Famous Cricketers No 57 - W. M. Woodfull

84. AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND, Melbourne, March 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 (Australia won by five wickets) c G.Geary b H.Larwood 102 491 519 b W.R.Hammond 35 287-5 257 SEASON’S AVERAGES Batting and Fielding M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct Test matches 5 10 1 491 111 54.55 3 1 5 Other matches 3 3 2 363 275* 363.00 1 1 - Season 8 13 3 854 275* 85.40 4 2 5 Career 84 125 26 7598 284 76.74 30 30 57 1929/30 Victoria had a strong team and easily won the Sheffield Shield despite Woodfull only playing one innings during the Shield season. Even this was more than he had played the previous season. Opening his season with yet another 100 against an MCC team at Melbourne, Woodfull then captained his own team against Jack Ryder’s XI. This game was designed to help the selectors pick the team for England. All states (except Tasmania and Western Australia) “were invited to nominate players for consideration”. Woodfull retired hurt for 2 against Queensland when he was struck on the hand by Thurlow, “sustaining several broken bones which ruled him out for the season” . He was always going to be an automatic selection for England if he was fit. He did not play for almost three months but happily recovered and batted down the list against Tasmania as the Australian XI swept through the island state on their way to England. In a major selection upheaval, Jack Ryder was dumped as Australian captain and was not picked for the touring team. Woodfull was appointed captain in his place. Woodfull topped the VCA’s District batting averages, scoring 287 runs at 287.00. Victoria won the Shield despite Woodfull’s almost negligible contribution. Own Team O M R W Opp Ct Total Total 85. Victoria v M.C.C., Melbourne, November 15, 16, 18, 19, 20 (Victoria won by seven wickets) c W.L.Cornford b M.S.Nichols 0 167 238 1 not out 100 187-3 114 86. W.M.Woodfull’s XI v J.Ryder’s XI, Sydney, December 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 (J.Ryder’s XI won by one wicket) st C.W.Walker b R.K.Oxenham 36 309 663 c and b C.V.Grimmett 43 541 191-9 87. Victoria v Queensland, Melbourne, December 18, 19, 20 (Victoria won by five wickets) retired hurt 2 107 114 did not bat - 168-5 158 88. Australian XI v Tasmania, Launceston, March 8, 10, 11 (Australian XI won by ten wickets) not out 50 311 157 did not bat - 6-0 158 89. Australian XI v Tasmania, Hobart, March (13), 14, 15 (Match drawn) did not bat - 419-4d 131 174-5 SEASON’S AVERAGES Batting and Fielding M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct Sheffield Shield 1 1 1 2 2* - - - - Other matches 4 5 2 229 100* 76.33 1 1 1 Season 5 6 3 231 100* 77.00 1 1 1 Career 89 131 29 7829 284 76.75 31 31 58 20