Famous Cricketers No 57 - W. M. Woodfull

1930 – Australians in England Woodfull returned almost identical figures to his first English tour with 1,434 runs at 57.36 compared to 1,672 at 57.65 in 1926.This time he was not the leading batsman, Bradman saw to that. In this, Woodfull’s third series against England, he again increased his Test batting average. Lifting it from 51.00 in 1926 to 54.55 in 1928/29 to 57.50 this time. In the process he hit his highest score (155) against England. Woodfull’s team won the Ashes. He commenced his tour with a century against Worcestershire, emulating his 1926 performance. He batted more consistently, only having one match with a double failure. This was the First Test which Australia lost after batting on a rain-affected pitch. The Australian batting reasserted itself in the Second Test, at Lord’s, running up 729/6. Woodfull and Ponsford added 162 for the first wicket before Bradman and Woodfull added 242 for the second. Woodfull batted for five and a half hours for his 155, his highest Test score against England. “His defence was remarkable and he scarcely lifted the ball … he enjoyed one great stroke of fortune. He played forward to Robins, dragged his foot over the crease. Duckworth gathered the ball and swept it back to the stumps but omitted to remove the bails.” Bradman has always rated his 254 as the best innings he ever played. Australia panicked whilst chasing a victory target of 72, losing 3 wickets for 22 runs before Woodfull steadied the innings, remaining 26* at the finish. Woodfull showed consistency throughout the remaining Tests, scoring 50 at Leeds, 54 at Old Trafford and another 54 at The Oval. At Leeds Woodfull added 192 with Bradman for the second wicket in a “great display of defensive cricket”. He added 106 for the first wicket with Ponsford at Old Trafford, “rendering his side invaluable assistance”. Whilst adding 159 with Ponsford at The Oval for the first wicket Woodfull “played a most valuable innings”. He scored 216 against Cambridge University in six hours in an innings which was “quiet at first, he afterwards hit with power”. Another slow knock was his 116 against Northamptonshire when he “batted with great skill and unwearing care for five hours in a most valuable innings”. Wisden thought that “by his tact, advice and unfailing spirit, Woodfull welded the men into a first-rate combination. He showed himself even more resolute on this tour, still possessed a splendid off-drive and with his repertoire of strokes in other directions increased.” Own Team O M R W Opp Ct Total Total 90. Australians v Worcestershire, Worcester, April 30, May 1, 2 (Australians won by an innings and 165 runs) b G.W.Brook 133 492-8d 131 196 91. Australians v Essex, Leyton, May 7, 8, 9 (Australians won by 207 runs) b H.J.Palmer 4 156 67 1 c M.S.Nichols b H.T.O.Smith 54 264-6d 146 92. Australians v Yorkshire, Bramall Lane, May 10, 12, (13) (Match drawn) c A.T.Barber b G.G.Macaulay 121 320 155 93. Australians v Lancashire, Liverpool, May 14, 15, 16 (Match drawn) b R.K.Tyldesley 21 115 176 did not bat - 137-2 165 94. Australians v M.C.C., Lord’s, May 17, 19, 20 (Match drawn) c H.W.Lee b A.S.Kennedy 52 285 258 1 b M.J.C.Allom 7 213 95. Australians v Surrey, Kennington Oval, May 24, (26), (27) (Match drawn) c T.F.Shepherd b P.G.H.Fender 50 379-5 96. Australians v Oxford University, Christ Church Ground, Oxford, May 28, 29 (Australians won by an innings and 158 runs) did not bat - 406-2d 124 124 97. Australians v Hampshire, Southampton, May 31, June 2 (Australians won by an innings and 8 runs) st G.Brown b G.S.Boyes 4 334 151 1 175 21