Famous Cricketers No 57 - W. M. Woodfull

W.R.Hammond 2 2 bowled K.Farnes 2 1 bowled, 1 caught Q.McMillan 1 1 caught L.N.Constantine 1 1 caught F.E.Woolley 1 1 caught W.Rhodes 1 1 bowled G.Geary 1 1 lbw J.C.White 1 1 caught R.V.C.Robins 1 1 stumped I.A.R.Peebles 1 1 caught W.Voce 1 1 caught H.Verity 1 1 caught F.R.Martin 1 1 caught Bowling Season O M R W BB Ave 1924/25 New Zealand 1 0 2 0 - - 1933/34 1 0 10 0 - - 1934/35 1.2 0 12 1 1/12 12.00 Total 3.2 0 24 1 1/12 24.00 Woodfull’s First-Class Captaincy Record Woodfull was captain in 99 of his 174 first-class matches. The majority of his captaincy was for Australian teams, either in Test Matches or whilst on tour. His win/loss ratio is remarkable. This either reflects his skill as a captain or is a measure of the teams that he had at his command. Win Loss Draw Total %Win/Loss Sheffield Shield matches for Victoria 12 3 7 22 80% Other matches for Victoria 2 2 2 6 50% Test matches 14 7 4 25 67% Australian XI matches 17 - 26 43 100% Other first-class matches 2 - 1 3 100% Total 47 12 40 99 80% Woodfull’s Rating in the Australian First-Class Batting Averages Woodfull never headed the Australian first-class averages. However he topped the averages on the 1926 England tour and he also topped the averages on both his New Zealand tours. His best efforts in Australia were second place in 1927/28 and again in 1929/30 (when he played rarely). Third placing was achieved in 1928/29 and 1931/32. He also came third in the averages on the 1930 England tour. His worst seasonal effort was when he finished 12th in 1923/24 and again in 1930/31. Therefore in 19 seasons (five of which were overseas tours) Woodfull always finished within the top 12 Australian players, a remarkably consistent effort. His worst season (understandably) was the bodyline year of 1932/33. Even so, he still averaged over 33 in Test matches. This was the only season in which he averaged under 40. 37