Top allrounders in Test cricket between the two World Wars

Maurice Tate was the only player to score 1000 runs and take 100 wickets between the two World Wars.

The two decades between the two World Wars were not known for their Test allrounders. The only player to score 1,000 runs and capture 100 wickets was England’s Maurice Tate.

His compatriot the remarkable Wilfred Rhodes had played his best cricket before the First World War. His Test career lasted for 30 years, spanning the generations of W.G. Grace and Don Bradman. He became the first to achieve the feat of 2,000 runs and 100 wickets.

Charles Kelleway's Test career straggled the two World Wars.

Jack Gregory.....top-class fast bowler and left-handed batsman.

The two genuine, and best, allrounders between the wars were the Australians Charles Kelleway and Jack Gregory. Kelleway’s Test career straggled the First World War, having played 15 Tests earlier. Similarly, Frank Woolley’s career was divided by the First World War.

The English duo of Walter Robins and Gubby Allen too were versatile players who made valuable contributions.

Wally Hammond was, of course, one of the all-time great batsmen who would wheel over his medium pace. Stan McCabe too was a handy bowler of the same variety. Their allround quotient was boosted by their tremendous batting records.

There were bowlers from around the cricketing world who could wield the willow, the world-class English slow left-armer Hedley Verity, the South African slow left-armer Cyril Vincent, the West Indies speedster Learie Constantine, and the great Aussie leg-spinner Clarrie Grimmett.

The top allrounders with at least 1000 runs and 50 wickets in Test cricket between the two World Wars were:

Wally Hammond (England 1927-1939), Right-hand bat, Right-arm medium-pace

Tests 77, Highest score 336*, Runs 6883, Average 61.45, 100s 22, 50s 22

Best bowling 5/36, Wickets 83, Average 37.77, 5WI 2, 10WM -, Quotient 1.62

Jack Gregory (Australia 1920-1928), Left-hand bat, Right-arm fast

Tests 24, Highest score 119, Runs 1146, Average 36.96, 100s 2, 50s 7

Best bowling 7/69, Wickets 85, Average 31.15, 5WI 4, 10WM -, Quotient 1.18

Maurice Tate (England 1924-1935), Right-hand bat, Right-arm fast-medium, off-break

Tests 39, Highest score 100*, Runs 1198, Average 25.48, 100s 1, 50s 5

Best bowling 6/42, Wickets 155, Average 26.16, 5WI 7, 10WM 1, Quotient 0.97

The best allrounders with at least 500 runs and 25 wickets in Test cricket between the two World Wars were:

Charles Kelleway (Australia 1920-1928), Right-hand bat, Right-arm fast-medium

Tests 11, Highest score 147, Runs 590, Average 34.70, 100s 1, 50s 2

Best bowling 4/27, Wickets 29, Average 27.75, 5WI -, 10WM -, Quotient 1.25

Stan McCabe (Australia 1930-1938), Right-hand bat, Right-arm medium

Tests 39, Highest score 232, Runs 2748, Average 48.21, 100s 6, 50s 13

Best bowling 4/13, Wickets 36, Average 42.86, 5WI -, 10WM -, Quotient 1.12

Walter Robins (England 1929-1937), Right-hand bat, Right-arm leg-break

Tests 19, Highest score 108, Runs 612, Average 26.60, 100s 1, 50s 4

Best bowling 6/32, Wickets 64, Average 27.46, 5WI 1, 10WM -, Quotient 0.96

Gubby Allen (England 1930-1937), Right-hand bat, Right-arm fast

Tests 22, Highest score 122, Runs 656, Average 25.23, 100s 1, 50s 3

Best bowling 7/80, Wickets 76, Average 28.60, 5WI 5, 10WM 1, Quotient 0.88

Frank Woolley (England 1920-1934), Left-hand bat, Left-arm medium, Slow left-arm

Tests 42, Highest score 154, Runs 2346, Average 37.83, 100s 4, 50s 15

Best bowling 7/76, Wickets 44, Average 43.00, 5WI 1, 10WM -, Quotient 0.87

Hedley Verity (England 1931-1939), Right-hand bat, Slow left-arm

Tests 40, Highest score 66*, Runs 669, Average 20.90, 100s -, 50s 3

Best bowling 8/43, Wickets 144, Average 24.37, 5WI 5, 10WM 2, Quotient 0.85

Cyril Vincent (South Africa 1927-1935), Left-hand bat, Slow left-arm

Tests 25, Highest score 60, Runs 526, Average 20.23, 100s -, 50s 2

Best bowling 6/51, Wickets 84, Average 31.32, 5WI 3, 10WM -, Quotient 0.64

Learie Constantine (West Indies 1928-1939), Right-hand bat, Right-arm fast-medium

Tests 18, Highest score 90, Runs 635, Average 19.24, 100s -, 50s 4

Best bowling 5/75, Wickets 58, Average 30.10, 5WI 2, 10WM 1, Quotient 0.63

Clarrie Grimmett (Australia 1925-1936), Right-hand bat, Right-arm leg-break googly

Tests 37, Highest score 50, Runs 557, Average 13.92, 100s -, 50s 1

Best bowling 7/40, Wickets 216, Average 24.21, 5WI 21, 10WM 7, Quotient 0.57

In their entire careers these allrounders achieved the following figures:

Charles Kelleway (Australia 1910-1928), Right-hand bat, Right-arm fast-medium

Tests 26, Highest score 147, Runs 1422, Average 37.42, 100s 3, 50s 6

Best bowling 5/33, Wickets 52, Average 32.36, 5WI 1, 10WM -, Quotient 1.15

Wilfred Rhodes (England 1899-1930), Right-hand bat, Slow left-arm

Tests 58, Highest score 179, Runs 2325, Average 30.19, 100s 2, 50s 10

Best bowling 8/68, Wickets 127, Average 26.96, 5WI 6, 10WM 1, Quotient 1.11

Frank Woolley (England 1909-1934), left-hand bat, Left-arm medium, Slow left-arm

Tests 64, Highest score 154, Runs 3283, Average 36.07, 100s 5, 50s 23

Best bowling 7/76, Wickets 83, Average 33.91, 5WI 4, 10WM 1, Quotient 1.06

Gubby Allen (England 1930-1948), Right-hand bat, Right-arm fast

Tests 25, Highest score 122, Runs 750, Average 24.19, 100s 1, 50s 3

Best bowling 7/80, Wickets 81, Average 29.37, 5WI 5, 10WM 1, Quotient 0.82

Hammond bowled just one over for 3 runs after the Second World War, his quotient being 1.54.

Quotient is batting average divided by bowling average.

Test Cricket - Records from inception in 1877 till beginning of First World War in 1914

 

The England team that played Australia in the first Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham in 1899. 

Back row: Dick Barlow (umpire), Tom Hayward, George Hirst, Billy Gunn, Jack Hearne (12th man), Bill Storer (wicketkeeper), Bill Brockwell, Valentine Titchmarsh (umpire).

Middle row: CB Fry, KS Ranjitsinhji, WG Grace (captain), Stanley Jackson.

Front row: Wilfred Rhodes, Johnny Tyldesley.

It was WG Grace’s final Test, while Wilfred Rhodes made his Test debut.

England were the leading team in the initial period upto the First World War, just ahead of Australia, with late entrants South Africa lagging behind.

TEAM PERFORMANCES

England - 1877 to 1914, Tests Played 123, Won 59, Lost 42, Drawn 22, Success % 56.91

Australia - 1877 to 1912, Tests Played 105, Won 43, Lost 41, Drawn 21, Success % 50.95

South Africa - 1889 to 1914, Tests Played 40, Won 8, Lost 27, Drawn 5, Success % 26.25

 

HIGHEST TOTALS

589 - England v Australia, Melbourne, 1911-12

586 - Australia v England, Sydney, 1894-95

578 - Australia v South Africa, Melbourne, 1910-11

577 - England v Australia, Sydney, 1903-04

576 - England v Australia, The Oval, London, 1899

573 - Australia v England, Adelaide, 1897-98

551 - Australia v England, The Oval, London, 1884

551- England v Australia, Sydney, 1897-98

528 - Australia v South Africa, Sydney, 1910-11

520 - Australia v England, Melbourne, 1897-98

506 - Australia v England, Adelaide, 1907-08

506 - South Africa v Australia, Melbourne, 1910-11

501 - England v Australia, Adelaide, 1911-12

 

LOWEST TOTALS

30 - South Africa v England, Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), 1895-96

35 - South Africa v England, Cape Town, 1898-99

36 - Australia v England, Birmingham, 1902

42 - Australia v England, Sydney, 1887-88

43 - South Africa v England, Cape Town, 1888-89

44 - Australia v England, The Oval, London, 1896

45 - England v Australia, Sydney, 1886-87

47 - South Africa v England, Cape Town, 1888-89

 

HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL SCORES

Reginald Foster - 287, England v Australia, Sydney, 1903-04

Victor Trumper - 214*, Australia v South Africa, Adelaide, 1910-11

William Murdoch - 211, Australia v England, The Oval, London, 1884

Aubrey Faulkner - 204, South Africa v Australia, Melbourne, 1910-11

Syd Gregory - 201, Australia v England, Sydney, 1894-95

Clem Hill - 191, Australia v South Africa, Sydney, 1910-11

Clem Hill - 188, Australia v England , Melbourne, 1897-98

Jack Hobbs - 187, England v South Africa, Cape Town, 1909-10

Jack Hobbs - 187, England v Australia, Adelaide, 1911-12

Victor Trumper - 185*, Australia v England, Sydney, 1903-04

Wilfred Rhodes - 179 England v Australia, Melbourne, 1911-12

Joe Darling - 178, Australia v England, Adelaide, 1897-98

Jack Hobbs - 178, England v Australia, Melbourne, 1911-12

KS Ranjitsinhji - 175, England v Australia, Sydney, 1897-98

 

HUNDRED ON TEST DEBUT

Charles Bannerman - 165*, Australia v England, Melbourne, 1876-77

WG Grace - 152, England v Australia, The Oval, London, 1880

Harry Graham - 107, Australia v England, Lord’s, London, 1893

KS Ranjitsinhji - 154*, England v Australia, Manchester, 1896

Pelham Warner - 132*, England v South Africa, Johannesburg, 1898-99

Reggie Duff - 104, Australia v England, Melbourne, 1901-02

Reginald Foster - 287, England v Australia, Sydney, 1903-04

George Gunn - 119, England v Australia, Sydney, 1907-08

Roger Hartigan - 116, Australia v England, Adelaide, 1907-08

 

HIGHEST PARTNERSHIP FOR EACH WICKET

1^st Wicket - 323, Jack Hobbs & Wilfred Rhodes, England v Australia, Melbourne, 1911-12

2^nd Wicket - 224, Warren Bardsley & Clem Hill, Australia v South Africa, Sydney, 1910-11

3^rd Wicket - 242, Warren Bardsley & Charles Kelleway, Australia v South Africa, Lord’s, 1912

4^th Wicket - 221, Syd Gregory & Harry Trott, Australia v England, Lord’s, 1896

5^th Wicket - 192, Leonard Braund & Reginald Foster, England v Australia, Sydney, 1903-04

6^th Wicket - 158, Reginald Spooner & John Tyldesley, England v Australia, The Oval, 1905

7^th Wicket - 165, Clem Hill & Hugh Trumble, Australia v England, Melbourne, 1897-98

8^th Wicket - 243, Roger Hartigan & Clem Hill, Australia v England, Adelaide, 1907-08

9^th Wicket - 154, Jack Blackham & Syd Gregory, Australia v England, Sydney, 1894-95

10^th Wicket - 130, Reginald Foster & Wilfred Rhodes, England v Australia, Sydney 1903-04

 

OTHER DOUBLE CENTURY PARTNERSHIPS

1^st Wicket - 221, Jack Hobbs & Wilfred Rhodes, England v South Africa, Cape Town, 1909-10

3^rd Wicket - 210, Jack Brown & Albert Ward, England v Australia, Melbourne, 1994-95

3^rd Wicket - 207, William Murdoch & Henry Scott, Australia v England, The Oval, 1894

3^rd Wicket - 202 Warren Bardsley & Charles Kelleway, Australia v South Africa, Manchester, 1912

 

BEST BOWLING IN AN INNINGS

George Lohmann - 9 for 28, England v South Africa, Johannesburg, 1895-96

Sydney Barnes - 9 for 103, England v South Africa, Johannesburg, 1913-14

George Lohmann - 8 for 07, England v South Africa, Port Elizabeth, 1895-96

Johnny Briggs - 8 for 11, England v South Africa, Cape Town, 1888-89

Sydney Barnes - 8 for 29, England v South Africa, The Oval, 1912

Frank Laver - 8 for 31, Australia v England, Manchester, 1909

George Lohmann - 8 for 35, England v Australia, Sydney, 1886-87

Albert Trott - 8 for 43, Australia v England, Adelaide, 1894-95

Sydney Barnes - 8 for 56, England v South Africa, Johannesburg, 1913-14

George Lohmann - 8 for 58, England v Australia, Sydney, 1891-92

Colin Blythe - 8 for 59, England v South Africa, Leeds, 1907

Hugh Trumble - 8 for 65, Australia v England, The Oval, 1902

Wilfred Rhodes - 8 for 68, England v Australia, Melbourne, 1903-04

Sibley ‘Tip’ Snooke - 8 for 70, South Africa v England, Johannesburg, 1905-06

Leonard Braund - 8 for 81, England v Australia, Melbourne, 1903-04

Tom Richardson - 8 for 94, England v Australia, Sydney, 1897-98

Bernard Bosanquet - 8 for 107, England v Australia, Nottingham, 1905

 

BEST BOWLING IN A MATCH

Sydney Barnes - 17 for 159, England v South Africa, Johannesburg, 1913-14

Johnny Briggs - 15 for 28, England v South Africa, Cape Town, 1888-89

George Lohmann - 15 for 45, England v South Africa, Port Elizabeth, 1895-96

Colin Blythe - 15 for 99, England v South Africa, Leeds, 1907

Wilfred Rhodes - 15 for 124, England v Australia, Melbourne, 1903-04

Frederick Spofforth - 14 for 90, Australia v England, The Oval, 1882

Willie Bates - 14 for 102, England v Australia, Melbourne, 1882-83

Sydney Barnes - 14 for 144, England v South Africa, Durban, 1913-14

 

FIVE WICKETS IN AN INNINGS ON TEST DEBUT

Albert Trott - 8 for 43, Australia v England, Adelaide, 1894-95

Thomas Kendall - 7 for 55, Australia v England, Melbourne, 1876-77

William Ashley - 7 for 95, South Africa v England, Cape Town, 1888-89

Charles Turner - 7 for 55, Australia v England, Sydney, 1886-87

George Simpson-Hayward - 6 for 43, England v South Africa, Johannesburg, 1909-10

Monty Noble - 6 for 49, Australia v England, Melbourne, 1897-98

Frederick Martin - 6 for 50, England v Australia, The Oval, 1890

Frederick Martin - 6 for 52, England v Australia, The Oval, 1890

William Lockwood - 6 for 101, England v Australia, Lord’s , 1893

William Cooper - 6 for 120, Australia v England, Melbourne, 1881-82

Aubrey Smith - 5 for 19, England v South Africa, Port Elizabeth, 1888-89

Walter Lees - 5 for 34, England v South Africa, Johannesburg, 1905-06

Alfred Shaw - 5 for 38, England v Australia, Melbourne, 1876-77

Walter Heseltine - 5 for 38, England v South Africa, Johannesburg, 1895-96

John O’Connor - 5 for 40, Australia v England, Adelaide, 1907-08

Albert Innes - 5 for 43, South Africa v England, Port Elizabeth, 1888-89

John Saunders - 5 for 43, Australia v England, Sydney, 1901-02

Thomas Richardson - 5 for 49, England v Australia, Manchester, 1893

Robert Peel - 5 for 51, England v Australia, Adelaide, 1883-84

Robert McLeod - 5 for 53, Australia v England, Melbourne, 1891-92

Frederick Morley - 5 for 56, England v Australia, The Oval, 1880

Arnold Warren - 5 for 57, England v Australia, Leeds, 1905

Leonard Braund - 5 for 61, England v Australia, Sydney, 1901-02

James Middleton - 5 for 64, South Africa v England, Port Elizabeth, 1895-96

Sydney Barnes - 5 for 65, England v Australia, Sydney, 1901-02

Herbert Hordern - 5 for 66, Australia v South Africa, Melbourne, 1910-11

Walter Bradley - 5 for 67, England v Australia, Manchester, 1899

John Ferris - 5 for 76, Australia v England, Sydney, 1886-87

William Midwinter - 5 for 78, Australia v England, Melbourne, 1876-77

Frank Foster - 5 for 92, England v Australia, Sydney, 1911-12

Thomas Richardson - 5 for 107, England v Australia, Manchester, 1893

George Rowe - 5 for 115, South Africa v England, Johannesburg, 1895-96

Douglas Carr - 5 for 146, England v Australia, The Oval, 1909

 

TEN WICKETS IN A MATCH ON TEST DEBUT

Frederick Martin - 12 for 102, England v Australia, The Oval, 1890

Thomas Richardson - 10 for 156, England v Australia, Manchester, 1893

 

HAT-TRICKS

Frederick Spofforth - Australia v England, Melbourne, 1878-79

Willie Bates - England v Australia, Melbourne, 1882-83

Johnny Briggs - England v Australia, Sydney, 1891-92

George Lohmann - England v South Africa, Port Elizabeth, 1895-96

Jack Hearne - Australia v England, Leeds, 1899

Hugh Trumble - Australia v England, Melbourne, 1901-02

Hugh Trumble - Australia v England, Melbourne, 1903-04

Jimmy Matthews (1^st Inn) - Australia v South Africa, Manchester, 1912

Jimmy Matthews (2^nd Inn) - Australia v South Africa – Manchester, 1912

 

MOST CATCHES BY A FIELDER

Wilfred Rhodes (England) - Tests 47, Catches 51

Hugh Trumble (Australia) - Tests 32, Catches 45

Leonard Braund (England) - Tests 23, Catches 39

WG Grace (England) - Tests 22, Catches 38

Warwick Armstrong (Australia) - Tests 40, Catches 36

Clem Hill (Australia) - Tests 49, Catches 33

Victor Trumper (Australia) - Tests 48, Catches 31

Test Cricket - A World XI from the inception in 1877 upto the First World War

 

(from left), W.G. Grace, Frederick Spofforth, Sydney Barnes and Jack Hobbs.....four of the finest Test cricketers before the First World War.

It is a fascinating exercise picking a World XI from the inception of Test cricket in 1877 till the First World War began in 1914. Wickets in the 1870s and 1880s were very uneven and rough. They improved in the 1890s with the introduction of the heavy roller, and further still in the first 14 years of the 20^th century, but were still not as well prepared as in later decades. By today’s standards, wickets were heavily loaded in favour of bowlers, and they were uncovered. But those were the conditions the players knew then, and coped with them.

Here is a World XI of those times. I am sure readers would make a few changes based on their perception, but some of the players would be common in all lists.

1.   Jack Hobbs - England

Batting Pre-WWI 1908 to 1914 - Tests 28, Runs 2465, Average 57.32, Highest Score 187, Hundreds 5, Fifties 16

Batting Full Career 1908 to 1930 - Tests 61, Runs 5410, Average 56.94, Highest Score 211, Hundreds 15, Fifties 28

What stands out is that Jack Hobbs has been the greatest Test batsman in the pre-First World War period. He was just as great after the War till the end of his career in 1930. In fact the War divided Hobbs’ Test career into almost two equal halves, with no decline whatsoever in performance in the latter part. In 28 Tests from 1908 to 1914, the English right-handed master opening batsman scored 2465 runs at an average of 57.32 with 5 hundreds and 16 fifties, and a highest score of 187. Then in 28 Tests from 1919 to 1930, Hobbs scored 2945 runs at an average of 56.63 with 10 hundreds and 12 fifties, and a highest score of 211. The first batsman to average 50 in Tests, he carried his supreme form forward till his retirement from Tests almost at the age of 48. His final figures in 61 Tests were 5410 runs at an average of 56.94 with 15 hundreds and 28 fifties. He was consistency personified, adept on turf as well as matting wickets, on bouncy, turning and wet tracks, against pace and spin alike. It is well-known that Hobbs scored 100 First-class hundreds after 40 years of age. He played First-class cricket till he was nearly 52 years old, and finished with a record 199 centuries, a true master.

2.   Victor Trumper - Australia

Batting Pre-WWI 1899 to 1912 - Tests 48, Runs 3163, Average 39.04, Highest Score 214 not out, Hundreds 8, Fifties 13

The highest run-getters before the First World War were the top-class Australian opening pair of the left-handed Clem Hill, and the exquisite stroke-maker and highly proficient on wet wickets Victor Trumper. In 49 Tests from 1896 to 1912, Hill scored 3412 runs, the highest hitherto, at an average of 39.21. Trumper was just behind. In 48 Tests from 1899 to 1912, Trumper scored 3163 runs at an average of 39.04 with 8 hundreds and 13 fifties, and a highest score of 214 not out.

3.   W.G. Grace (Captain) - England

Batting Pre-WWI 1880 to 1899 - Tests 22, Runs 1098, Average 32.29, Highest Score 170, Hundreds 2, Fifties 5

The first batsman to score 1000 Test runs was the right-handed Englishman Arthur Shrewsbury. Playing only in the 19^th century, in 23 Tests from 1881 to 1893, Shrewsbury scored 1227 runs at an average of 35.47. There were three other batsmen who scored 1000 Test runs while playing only in the 19^th century, WG Grace, George Giffen and AC Bannerman. As we know, wickets in the 1870s and 1880s were very rough and uneven. They improved in the 1890s but were still far inferior to those later. The batting performances of these players is, therefore, very commendable. In 22 Tests from 1880 to 1899, the inimitable right-handed English opening batsman WG Grace scored 1098 runs at an average of 32.29 with 2 hundreds and 5 fifties, and a highest score of 170.

4.   Stanley Jackson - England

Batting Pre-WWI 1893 to 1905 - Tests 20, Runs 1415, Average 48.79, Highest Score 144 not out, Hundreds 5, Fifties 6

Bowling Pre-WWI 1893 to 1905 - Wickets 24, Average 33.29, Best Bowling 5/52, 5WI 1

The next in terms of Test averages after Hobbs, among batsmen who scored more than 251 runs before the First World War, was The Honourable F.S. Jackson or Stanley Jackson, the English right-handed batsman. In 20 Tests from 1893 to 1905, Jackson scored 1415 runs at an average of 48.79, with 5 hundreds and 6 fifties, and a highest score of 144 not out. He was a fine fast-medium bowler too, capturing 24 Tests wickets at an average of 33.29.

5.   K.S. Ranjitsinhji - England

Batting Pre-WWI 1896 to 1902 - Tests 15, Runs 989, Average 44.95, Highest Score 175, Hundreds 2, Fifties 6

The Indian right-handed wizard K.S. Ranjitsinhji just missed scoring 1000 Test runs. In 15 Tests for England from 1896 to 1902, he hit up 989 runs at an average of 44.95 with 2 hundreds and 6 fifties, and a highest score of 175.

6.   Aubrey Faulkner - South Africa

Batting Pre-WWI 1906 to 1914 - Tests 24, Runs 1717, Average 41.87, Highest Score 204, Hundreds 4, Fifties 8

Bowling Pre-WWI 1906 to 1914 - Wickets 82, Average 25.52, Best Bowling 7/84, 5WI 4

Batting Full Career 1906 to 1924 - Tests 25, Runs 1754, Average 40.79, Highest Score 204, Hundreds 4, Fifties 8                 

Bowling Full Career 1906 to 1924 - Wickets 82, Average 26.58, Best Bowling 7/84, 5WI 4

The king of allrounders of the pre-First World War period, the South African Aubrey Faulkner, appeared in 1906. He bowled leg-breaks and googlies. Till the War, he had scored 1,717 runs at an average of 41.87, and taken 82 wickets at an average of 25.52, in 24 Tests. His quotient then was 1.64, at par with the doyens Gary Sobers and Jacques Kallis, though the sample size is obviously much smaller. After the War, he played one Test in 1924, scoring 37 runs and not taking a wicket. His quotient fell to 1.53, still comparable to greats like Imran Khan and Keith Miller.

7.   Monty Noble - Australia

Batting Pre-WWI 1898 to 1909 - Tests 42, Runs 1997, Average 30.25, Highest Score 133, Hundred 1, Fifties 16

Bowling Pre-WWI 1898 to 1909 - Wickets 121, Average 25.00, Best Bowling 7/17, 5WI 9, 10WM 2

Monty Noble entered the scene in 1898, a couple of years after his compatriot Giffen had finished. Noble bowled right-arm medium-pace and off-break. He came close to becoming the first to completing the double of 2,000 runs and 100 wickets, finishing just 3 runs short. He hit up 1,997 runs at an average of 30.25, and bagged 121 wickets at an average of 25.00 in 42 Tests, his career lasting till 1909. His quotient is 1.21.

8.   Arthur Lilley (Wicketkeeper) - England

Batting Pre-WWI 1896 to 1909 - Tests 35, Runs 903, Average 20.52, Highest Score 84, Fifties 4

Wicketkeeping Pre-WWI 1896 to 1909 - Catches 70, Stumpings 22

Arthur Frederick Augustus ‘Dick’ Lilley made his Test debut for England in 1896. He played 35 Test matches till 1909, holding 70 catches and bringing off 22 stumpings. A right-handed batsman he scored 903 runs at an average of 20.52, with 4 half-centuries and a top score of 84. Dick Lilley came very close to becoming the first wicketkeeper-batsman to achieve the Test double of 1000 runs and 100 dismissals, finishing with 903 runs and 92 dismissals. Arthur Lilley was arguably the finest wicketkeeper-batsman up to the First World War.

9.   George Lohmann - England

Bowling Pre-WWI 1886 to 1896 - Tests 18, Wickets 112, Average 10.75, Best Bowling 9/28, 5WI 9, 10WM 5

The English right-arm medium-pacer George Lohmann, who played 18 Tests from 1886 to 1896, took 112 wickets at an incredible average of 10.75. It is the best average among bowlers who took more than 7 Test wickets before the First World War. He bagged 9 hauls of five wickets or more in an innings, and 5 hauls of 10 wickets or more in a Test. His best analyses were 9 for 28 in an innings, and 15 for 45 in a Test.

10. Sydney Barnes - England

Bowling Pre-WWI 1901 to 1914 - Tests 27, Wickets 189, Average 16.43, Best Bowling 9/103, 5WI 24, 10WM 7

There is little doubt that Sydney Barnes was the best bowler in the pre-First World War period. The English right-arm fast-medium to medium pacer played only in the 20^th century when wickets were far better for batsmen than in the 1870s, 1880s, and even 1890s. Appearing between 1901 and 1914, Barnes captured 189 wickets in just 27 Tests at an average of 16.43. That is a brilliant 7 wickets per Test. He bagged 24 hauls of five wickets or more in an innings, and 7 hauls of 10 wickets or more in a Test. His best analyses were 9 for 103 in an innings, and 17 for 159 in a Test. The other four bowlers who bagged 50 or more wickets with better averages than Barnes played only in the 19^th century when wickets were coarse and hazardous for batsmen.

11. Frederick Spofforth - Australia

Bowling Pre-WWI 1877 to 1887 - Tests 18, Wickets 94, Average 18.41, Best Bowling 7/44, 5WI 7, 10WM 4

The right-arm fast-medium Frederick ‘Demon’ Spofforth played 18 Tests for Australia from 1877 to 1887. He took 94 wickets at an average of 18.41. He bagged 7 hauls of five wickets or more in an innings, and 4 hauls of 10 wickets or more in a Test. His best analyses were 7 for 44 in an innings, and 14 for 90 in a Test.

12^th Man Wilfred Rhodes - England

Batting Pre-WWI 1899 to 1914 - Tests 47, Runs 1965, Average 32.21, Highest Score 179, Hundreds 2, Fifties 10

Bowling Pre-WWI 1899 to 1914 - Wickets 105, Average 24.90, Best Bowling 8/68, 5WI 6, 10WM 1

Batting Full Career 1899 to 1930 - Tests 58, Runs 2325, Average 30.19, Highest Score 179, Hundreds 2, Fifties 10               

Bowling Full Career 1899 to 1930 - Wickets 127, Average 26.96, Best Bowling 8/68, 5WI 6, 10WM 1

The Test career of the remarkable Englishman Wilfred Rhodes lasted for 31 years till 1930. He was a right-handed batsman, and slow left-arm orthodox spinner. His career spanned the generations of W.G. Grace and Don Bradman, and became the first to achieve the feat of 2,000 runs and 100 wickets. He scored 2,325 runs at an average of 30.19, and took 127 wickets at an average of 26.96 in 58 Tests. His quotient is 1.11. Till the First World War, he had scored 1,965 runs at an average of 32.21, and took 105 wickets at an average of 24.90 in 47 Tests. His quotient at that time was 1.29.

There is little doubt that this team would pose a stiff challenge to a World XI from any era, even though technique has evolved considerably, many more skills added, and fielding, fitness levels and coaching methods skyrocketed in the last century and more. In fact, given the conditions in that era the modern day batsmen would find it very challenging if they were to play then, unpredictable and uncovered wickets, thin willows and rudimentary gloves and pads, no helmets or other protective gear like thigh pads and chest guards. Today’s bowlers, though, would revel in such a situation. But for natural ability and courage, the gladiators of the pre-First World War era would match players of any epoch.

Great allrounders from inception of Test cricket in 1877 upto beginning of First World War and beyond

 

Aubrey Faulkner

There have been five great allrounders from the inception of Test cricket in 1877 till the beginning of the First World War in 1914, a few of them going beyond as well, scoring at least 1,000 runs and taking a minimum of 50 wickets. They were all right-handed batsmen, but with different styles of bowling.

The first of them was the Australian George Giffen who made his debut in 1881. He was a right-arm medium-pace bowler. In his Test career lasting till 1896, he scored 1,238 runs at an average of 23.35, and took 103 wickets at an average of 27.03 in 31 Tests. His quotient, batting average divided by bowling average, is 0.86. He was a stalwart of the early years of Test cricket.

His compatriot Monty Noble entered the scene in 1898, a couple of years after Giffen had finished. He bowled right-arm medium-pace and off-breaks. He came close to becoming the first to completing the double of 2,000 runs and 100 wickets, finishing just 3 runs short. He hit up 1,997 runs at an average of 30.25, and bagged 121 wickets at an average of 25.00 in 42 Tests, his career lasting till 1909. His quotient is 1.21.

He was closely followed in 1899 by the remarkable Englishman Wilfred Rhodes, whose Test career lasted for 31 years till 1931. He was a right-arm fast medium, and leg-break bowler. His career spanned the generations of W.G. Grace and Don Bradman, and became the first to achieve the feat of 2,000 runs and 100 wickets. He scored 2,325 runs at an average of 30.19, and took 127 wickets at an average of 26.96 in 58 Tests. His quotient is 1.11. Till the First World War, he had scored 1,965 runs at an average of 32.21, and took 105 wickets at an average of 24.90 in 47 Tests. His quotient at that time was 1.29.

Next came Warwick ‘Big Ship’ Armstrong, who career also spanned the pre and post First World War periods. He bowled right-arm fast medium, and leg-break. Beginning in 1902, he went on to lead the original invincible Australian teams of 1920-21 and 1921. He scored 2,863 runs at an average of 38.68, and captured 87 wickets at an average of 33.59 in 50 Tests. His quotient is 1.15. Till the First World War, he had scored 2,247 runs at an average of 35.66, and took 70 wickets at an average of 35.81 in 40 Tests. His quotient at that time was 0.99. His record improved significantly after the War.       

Finally appeared in 1906, the king of allrounders of the pre First World War period, the South African Aubrey Faulkner. He bowled leg-breaks and googlies. Till the War, he had scored 1,717 runs at an average of 41.87, and taken 82 wickets at an average of 25.52, in 24 Tests. His quotient then was 1.64, at par with the doyens Gary Sobers and Jacques Kallis, though the sample size is obviously much smaller. After the War, he played one Test in 1924, scoring 37 runs and not taking a wicket. His quotient fell to 1.53, still comparable to greats like Imran Khan and Keith Miller.

It must be mentioned, however, that the right-handed George Ulyett was the pioneer among allrounders, having finished just short of the 1000 runs mark, scoring 949 runs in 25 Tests for England from 1877 to 1890 at an average of 24.33. A fast bowler, Ulyett captured 50 wickets at an average of 20.40. His quotient is 1.19.

The top allrounders with at least 1000 runs and 50 wickets in the initial decades of Tests cricket were:

Aubrey Faulkner (South Africa 1906-1924), Right-hand bat, Leg-break googly

Tests 25, Highest score 204, Runs 1754, Average 40.79, 100s 4, 50s 8       

Best bowling 7/84, Wickets 82, Average 26.58, 5WI 4, 10WM -, Quotient 1.53    

Monty Noble (Australia 1898-1909), Right-hand bat, Right-arm medium, Off-break

Tests 42, Highest score 133, Runs 1997, Average 30.25, 100s 1, 50s 16     

Best bowling 7/17, Wickets 121, Average 25.00, 5WI 9, 10WM 2, Quotient 1.21

Warwick Armstrong (Australia 1902-1921), Right-hand bat, Right-arm fast medium, Leg-break

Tests 50, Highest score 159*, Runs 2863, Average 38.68, 100s 6, 50s 8     

Best bowling 6/35, Wickets 87, Average 33.59, 5WI 3, 10WM -, Quotient 1.15    

Wilfred Rhodes (England 1899-1930), Right-hand bat, Slow left-arm

Tests 58, Highest score 179, Runs 2325, Average 30.19, 100s 2, 50s 10

Best bowling 8/68, Wickets 127, Average 26.96, 5WI 6, 10WM 1, Quotient 1.11

George Giffen (Australia 1881-1896), Right-hand bat, Right-arm medium

Tests 31, Highest score 161, Runs 1238, Average 23.35, 100s 1, 50s 6       

Best bowling 7/117, Wickets  103, Average 27.03, 5WI 7, 10WM 1, Quotient 0.86

Recap of Don Bradman’s phenomenal Ashes tour of England in 1930. Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s book ‘Don’s Century’

It was a momentous tour. Having played a pivotal role in winning the Ashes, Bradman scored an unprecedented 974 runs in the series, still unequalled to this day, at an average of 139.14. He got all these runs at 40 an hour without hitting a six. Rarely did Bradman loft the ball. Some felt that this aggregate was the equivalent of Sydney Barnes’ feat of 49 wickets in four Tests against South Africa in 1913-14, but against better opposition. No other batsman from either side got even half of Bradman’s tally, nor even more than one hundred. Mammoth scores kept coming repeatedly from his willow like giant waves slapping the shore – a century, two double centuries and a triple century. The double hundreds decided the series. Without doubt the English would need to introspect deeply. C.B. Fry, himself a man of many parts and incredibly talented, was enchanted with Bradman’s display: “I wish I could have used my bat like Don. He is a gem of a batsman. I just love his finished technique and inevitable surety.”

As much as the runs that he scored, Bradman filled the counties’ coffers as never before. Jon Stock related a tale, perhaps apocryphal, in The Week: “Don was the bane of every bowler’s life, but he was also a commercial opportunity. Dai Davies, a Glamorgan player, recalls how he once came close to bowling Bradman in 1930. He was flabbergasted when instead of encouraging him, his captain Maurice Turnbull told Davies that his services wouldn’t be required that day. ‘But I’ll get him out the next over,’ Davies pleaded. ‘That’s what we don’t want,’ Turnbull replied. ‘Can’t you see, we’ve got to keep him in for Monday (the August bank holiday)?’ Glamorgan made a small profit at the end of that year thanks entirely to that game’s proceeds.”

By the final Test, his ninth, Bradman had reached an average of 100, and had as many as six three-figure knocks. His aggregate now stood at 1442 runs, the average 103. In all first-class matches during that tour of 1930, Bradman hit up 2960 runs, the most any visiting batsman has done, and notched up 10 hundreds. He topped the averages among all batsmen during that season at 98.66, which he did on all his tours to England. If anybody had lingering doubts about Bradman’s ability to cope with English conditions, they had been dispelled in the most vehement manner possible. From now on batting had only one don, perhaps forever. That Wisden selected Bradman as one of its cricketers of the year in its 1931 edition is only stating the obvious. A most telling comment came from the great allrounder Wilfred Rhodes, a shrewd judge of the game, and not one to shower praise lightly: “I bowled against all the best from 1900 to 1930 - Hobbs, Trumper, Grace and Ranji among them and many, many more - but Bradman was the greatest.”          

Ian Peebles, who bowled to Bradman during this series, wrote in the World of Cricket: “It was not until the series got underway that the cricket world gradually realised that this young man Bradman had inaugurated a new era and somewhat reinterpreted the old adage that ‘bowlers win matches’. Never before had an individual batsman so consistently given bowlers the opportunity of winning matches by the speed and extent of his scoring.”

Financially, the tour brought Bradman a bonanza. In addition to the ₤ 600 paid by The Board of Control for the six-month effort, which was easily double an average annual wage at the time, and the reward of ₤ 1000 bestowed on him by Arthur Whitelaw, was the contract for his first book Don Bradman’s Book of Cricket and its serialisation in the press. Bradman’s earnings came to a whopping ₤ 5000.

Don Bradman was now a folk hero in Australia, and he began receiving several offers for commercial endorsements. ‘Bradmania’ had besieged the minds of his countrymen. Whenever word spread that Bradman was at Mick Simmons, huge crowds would congregate outside. It was not long before a musical tribute was paid to him. ‘Our Don Bradman’ was an affectionate tune that became popular in the 1930s. Described as a ‘snappy fox trot song’, it hailed ‘Australia’s batting phenomenon’. Deft pianist that he was, Bradman himself composed a song ‘Every Day is a Rainbow Day for Me’.

(Author Indra Vikram Singh can be contacted on email singh_iv@hotmail.com).

Don’s Century

Published by Sporting Links

ISBN 978-81-901668-5-0, Fully Illustrated

French Fold 21.5 cm x 28 cm, 188 Pages

Price Rupees 995

Indra Vikram Singh’s latest books published by Sporting Links:

A Maharaja’s Turf  ISBN 978-81-901668-3-6

The Big Book of World Cup Cricket  ISBN 978-81-901668-4-3

Don’s Century  ISBN 978-81-901668-5-0

Crowning Glory  ISBN 978-81-901668-6-7

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