Famous Cricketers No 57 - W. M. Woodfull

gutsy performance, Woodfull batted four hours. It is all the more remarkable considering that Woodfull had been struck a painful blow over the heart in the first innings and that Oldfield had had his skull fractured in the same innings. Over 50 years later, Gwen Woodfull still “believed that this injury was to blame for her husband’s death”. Wisden said that the “greatest praise was due to Woodfull” for this innings. In the Fourth Test Woodfull stood up to Bodyline for over four hours, scoring 67 whilst adding 133 for the first wicket with Vic Richardson. Another 67 in the last Test showed Woodfull did not lack in courage or application. He added 115 for the second wicket with Bradman. Woodfull was bowled six times during the series, showing that repeated short-pitched bowling meant batsmen were put off-guard when a ball was pitched up to them. Robinson thought Woodfull “tried to beat Bodyline by doggedly wearing it down. When Larwood broke down in the fifth Test, he was told by Jardine to finish the over (five more balls). All Larwood could do was stand at the crease and swing his arm over. Larwood thought ‘Here’s five fours’. Woodfull just patted the balls back. He knew I was hurt. That’s the kind of sportsman he was.” “Oldfield believed that if it was not for Woodfull, the whole Bodyline situation would have got out of hand.” Corbett mentions much the same when he said that “Cricket was lucky that Woodfull was in charge. His dignity in the face of Bodyline and his toughness under the bombardment reflected the man exactly.” The VCA added to these comments by saying that Woodfull “is to be congratulated on the attitude he adopted in matches against England. He did not give a moment’s consideration to retaliation.” Despite all his problems, Woodfull managed to top the VCA’s District batting averages, scoring 144 runs at 144.00. Own Team O M R W Opp Ct Total Total 131. Victoria v Queensland, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, October 28, 29, 31 (Victoria won by an innings and 329 runs) b J.M.Govan 35 552 54 169 1 132. Victoria v New South Wales, Sydney, November 4, 5, 7, 8 (New South Wales won by nine wickets) run out (A.F.Kippax) 74 404 475 st W.A.S.Oldfield b S.F.Hird 83 150 82-1 133. Victoria v M.C.C., Melbourne, November 11, 12, 14 (M.C.C. won by an innings and 83 runs) c W.R.Hammond b G.O.B.Allen 5 231 408 b H.Verity 25 94 134. Australian XI v M.C.C., Melbourne, November 18, 19, 22, 22 (Match drawn) lbw b W.E.Bowes 18 218 282 c G.Duckworth b H.Larwood 0 19-2 60 135. AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND, Sydney, December 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 (England won by ten wickets) c L.E.G.Ames b W.Voce 7 360 524 b H.Larwood 0 164 1-0 136. Victoria v Queensland, Melbourne, December (16), 17, 19, 20 (Victoria won by an innings and 139 runs) c H.S.Gamble 38 339 126 74 137. Victoria v New South Wales, Melbourne, December (23), (24), 26, 27 (Match drawn) c H.S.B.Love b W.J.O’Reilly19 258 388 8-0 138. AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND, Melbourne, December 30, 31, January 2, 3 (Australia won by 111 runs) b G.O.B.Allen 10 228 169 c G.O.B.Allen b H.Larwood 26 191 139 139. AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND, Adelaide, January 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19 (England won by 338 runs) b G.O.B.Allen 22 222 341 not out 73 193 412 140. AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, February 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16 (England won by six wickets) b T.B.Mitchell 67 340 356 c W.R.Hammond b T.B.Mitchell 19 175 162-4 141. AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND, Sydney, February 23, 24, 25, 27, 28 (England won by eight wickets) b H.Larwood 14 435 454 b G.O.B.Allen 67 182 168-2 26