Test Cricket - Records between the two World Wars

 

The rivalry continued between the two World Wars, with Australia overtaking England, largely due the Bradman phenomenon. Here Wally Hammond tosses the coin watched by Don Bradman and the legendary Oval groundsman ‘Bosser’ Martin at the start of the final Test in 1938. The exertions of Bosser’s boys and their use of the heaviest of rollers, dubbed ‘Bosser’s Pet’, turned out a pitch on which Len Hutton batted Australia out of the Test with his record-breaking knock of 364 to level the series.

Australia overtook England as the leading team between the two world wars. South Africa were still way behind, followed by new entrants New Zealand and West Indies, all three quite close together. The newest member India brought up the rear.

TEAM PERFORMANCES

Australia - 1920 to 1938, Tests Played 67, Won 36, Lost 16, Drawn 15, Success % 64.92

England - 1920 to 1939, Tests Played 120, Won 41, Lost 30, Drawn 49, Success % 54.58

South Africa - 1921 to 1939, Tests Played 50, Won 7, Lost 20, Drawn 23, Success % 37.00

New Zealand - 1930 to 1937, Tests Played 14, Won 0, Lost 5, Drawn 9, Success % 32.14

West Indies - 1928 to 1939, Tests Played 22, Won 4, Lost 12, Drawn 6, Success % 31.81

India - 1932 to 1936, Tests Played 7, Won 0, Lost 5, Drawn 2, Success % 14.28

(Success % = Won 2 points, Drawn 1 point)

 

HIGHEST TOTALS

903/7d - England v Australia, The Oval, London, 1938

849 - England v West Indies, Kingston, 1929-30

729/6d - Australia v England, Lord’s, London, 1930

701 - Australia v England, The Oval, London, 1934

695 - Australia v England, The Oval, London, 1930

658/8d - England v Australia, Nottingham, 1938

654/5 - England v South Africa, Durban, 1938-39

636 - England v Australia, Sydney, 1928-29

627/9d - England v Australia, Manchester, 1934

604 - Australia v England, Melbourne, 1936-37

600 - Australia v England, Melbourne, 1924-25

 

LOWEST TOTALS

30 - South Africa v England, Birmingham, 1924

36 - South Africa v Australia, Melbourne, 1931-32

45 - South Africa v Australia, Melbourne, 1931-32

58 - Australia v England, Brisbane, 1936-37

66 - Australia v England, Brisbane, 1928-29

80 - Australia v England, Sydney, 1936-37

90 - West Indies v Australia, Sydney, 1930-31

93 - India v England, Lord’s, London, 1936

97 - West Indies v England, Lord’s, London, 1933

98 - South Africa v Australia, Johannesburg, 1935-36

99 - West Indies v Australia, Melbourne, 1930-31

 

HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL SCORES

Len Hutton - 364, England v Australia, The Oval, London, 1938

Wally Hammond - 336*, England v New Zealand, Auckland, 1932-33

Don Bradman - 334, Australia v England, Leeds, 1930

Andy Sandham - 325, England v West Indies, Kingston, 1929-30

Don Bradman - 304, Australia v England, Leeds, 1934

Don Bradman - 299*, Australia v South Africa, Adelaide, 1931-32

George Headley - 270*, West Indies v England, Kingston, 1934-35

Don Bradman - 270, Australia v England, Melbourne, 1936-37

Bill Ponsford - 266, Australia v England, The Oval, London, 1934

Don Bradman - 254, Australia v England, Lord’s, London, 1930

Wally Hammond - 251, England v Australia, Sydney, 1928-29

 

HUNDRED ON TEST DEBUT

Herbie Collins - 104, Australia v England, Sydney, 1920-21

Bill Ponsford - 110, Australia v England, Sydney, 1924-25

Archie Jackson - 164, Australia v England, Adelaide, 1928-29

George Headley - 176, West Indies v England, Bridgetown, 1929-30

Jackie Mills - 117, New Zealand v England, Wellington, 1929-30

Nawab IAK Pataudi - 102, England v Australia, Sydney, 1932-33

Bryan Valentine - 136, England v India, Bombay, 1933-34

Lala Amarnath - 118, India v England, Bombay, 1933-34

Paul Gibb - 106, England v South Africa, Johannesburg, 1938-39

 

HIGHEST PARTNERSHIP FOR EACH WICKET

1^st Wicket - 283, Jack Hobbs & Herbert Sutcliffe, England v Australia, Melbourne, 1924-25

2^nd Wicket - 451, Don Bradman & Bill Ponsford, Australia v England, The Oval, 1934

3^rd Wicket - 264, Wally Hammond & Len Hutton, England v West Indies, The Oval, 1939

4^th Wicket - 388, Don Bradman & Bill Ponsford, Australia v England, The Oval, 1934

5^th Wicket - 242, Wally Hammond & Leslie Ames, England v New Zealand, Christchurch, 1932-33

6^th Wicket - 346, Don Bradman & Jack Fingleton, Australia v England, Melbourne, 1936-37

7^th Wicket - 147, Rolph Grant & George Headley, West Indies v England, Kingston, 1934-35

8^th Wicket - 246, Leslie Ames & Gubby Allen, England v New Zealand, Lord’s, 1931

9^th Wicket - 137, Eric Dalton & Arthur Langton, South Africa v England, The Oval, 1935

10^th Wicket - 127, Arthur Mailey & Johnny Taylor, Australia v England, Sydney 1924-25

 

OTHER DOUBLE CENTURY PARTNERSHIPS

2^nd Wicket - 382, Len Hutton & Maurice Leyland, England v Australia, The Oval, 1938

2^nd Wicket - 280, Bill Edrich & Paul Gibb, England v South Africa, Durban, 1938-39

1^st Wicket - 276, Charles Dempster & Jackie Mills, New Zealand v England, Wellington, 1929-30

2^nd Wicket - 274, Don Bradman & Bill Woodfull, Australia v South Africa, Melbourne, 1931-32

1^st Wicket - 268, Jack Hobbs & Herbert Sutcliffe, England v South Africa, Lord’s, 1924

4^th Wicket - 266, Wally Hammond & Stan Worthington, England v India, The Oval, 1936

3^rd Wicket - 262, Wally Hammond & Douglas Jardine, England v Australia, Adelaide, 1928-29

1^st Wicket - 260, Bruce Mitchell & Jack Siedle, South Africa v England, Cape Town, 1930-31

4^th Wicket - 249, Leslie Ames & Andy Sandham, England v West Indies, Kingston, 1929-30

3^rd Wicket - 249, Don Bradman & Stan McCabe, Australia v England, Melbourne, 1936-37

4^th Wicket - 248, Len Hutton & Dennis Compton, England v West Indies, Lord’s, 1939

3^rd Wicket - 245, Frank Woolley & Bob Wyatt, England v South Africa, Manchester, 1929

3^rd Wicket - 245, Wally Hammond & Joe Hardstaff jr, England v New Zealand, Lord’s, 1937

4^th Wicket - 243, Don Bradman & Archie Jackson, Australia v England, The Oval, 1930

3^rd Wicket - 242, Wally Hammond & Eddie Paynter, England v South Africa, Durban, 1938-39

4^th Wicket - 237, Leslie Ames & Patsy Hendren, England v West Indies, Port of Spain, 1929-30

2^nd Wicket - 235, Charlie Macartney & Bill Woodfull, Australia v England, Leeds, 1926

1^st Wicket - 233, Bill Brown & Jack Fingleton, Australia v South Africa, Cape Town, 1935-36

2^nd Wicket - 231, Don Bradman & Bill Woodfull, Australia v England, Lord’s, 1930

2^nd Wicket - 230, Herbert Sutcliffe & Ernest Tyldesley, England v South Africa, Johannesburg, 1927-28

3^rd Wicket - 229, Don Bradman & Alan Kippax, Australia v England, Leeds, 1930

2^nd Wicket - 229, Don Bradman & Bill Ponsford, Australia v West Indies, Brisbane, 1930-31

2^nd Wicket - 227, George Headley & Karl Nunes, West Indies v England, Kingston, 1929-30

4^th Wicket - 222, Wally Hammond & Eddie Paynter, England v Australia, Lord’s, 1938

4^th Wicket - 221, Herbert Sutcliffe & Wally Hammond, England v South Africa, Birmingham, 1929

1^st Wicket - 219, Len Hutton & Charlie Barnett, England v Australia, Birmingham, 1938

2^nd Wicket - 215, Bill Woodfull & Stork Hendry, Australia v England, Sydney, 1928-29

6^th Wicket - 215, Len Hutton & Joe Hardstaff jr, England v Australia, The Oval, 1938

4^th Wicket - 214, Hubert Deane & Herbie Taylor, South Africa v England, The Oval, 1929

3^rd Wicket - 209, Herbie Collins & Jack Gregory, Australia v South Africa, Johannesburg, 1921-22

4^th Wicket - 206, Charlie Frank & Dave Nourse, South Africa v Australia, Johannesburg, 1921-22

5^th Wicket - 206, Dennis Compton & Eddie Paynter, England v Australia, Nottingham, 1938

1^st Wicket - 203, Vijay Merchant & Mushtaq Ali, India v England, Manchester, 1936

3^rd Wicket - 202, George Headley & Derek Sealy, West Indies v England, Kingston, 1934-35

2^nd Wicket - 200, George Headley & Ivan Barrow, West Indies v England, Manchester, 1933

 

BEST BOWLING IN AN INNINGS

Arthur Mailey - 9 for 121, Australia v England, Melbourne, 1920-21

Hedley Verity - 8 for 43, England v Australia, Lord’s, 1934

Jack White - 8 for 126, England v Australia, Adelaide, 1928-29

Bert Ironmonger - 7 for 23, Australia v West Indies, Melbourne, 1930-31

George Bissett - 7 for 29, South Africa v England, Durban, 1927-28

Clarrie Grimmett - 7 for 40, Australia v South Africa, Johannesburg, 1935-36

Hedley Verity - 7 for 49, England v India, Madras, 1933-34

Eric Hollies - 7 for 50, England v West Indies, Georgetown, 1934-35

Bill O’Reilly - 7 for 54, Australia v England, Nottingham, 1934

James Langridge - 7 for 56, England v West Indies, Manchester, 1933

Hedley Verity - 7 for 61, England v Australia, Lord’s, 1934

Alfred Hall - 7 for 63, South Africa v England, Cape Town, 1922-23

Jack Gregory - 7 for 69, Australia v England, Melbourne, 1920-21

George Geary - 7 for 70, England v South Africa, Johannesburg, 1927-28

Bill Voce - 7 for 70, England v West Indies, Port of Spain, 1929-30

AP ‘Tich’ Freeman - 7 for 71, England v South Africa, Manchester, 1929

Frank Woolley - 7 for 76, England v West Indies, Wellington, 1929-30

Gubby Allen - 7 for 80, England v India, The Oval, 1936

Clarrie Grimmett - 7 for 83, Australia v South Africa, Adelaide, 1931-32

Lala Amar Singh - 7 for 86, India v England, Madras, 1933-34

Clarrie Grimmett - 7 for 87, Australia v West Indies, Adelaide, 1930-31

Percival Hornibrook - 7 for 92, Australia v England, The Oval, 1930

Clarrie Grimmett - 7 for 100, Australia v South Africa, Durban, 1935-36

AP ‘Tich’ Freeman - 7 for 115, England v South Africa, Leeds, 1929

Clarrie Grimmett - 7 for 116, Australia v South Africa, Adelaide, 1931-32

Bill O’Reilly - 7 for 189, Australia v England, Manchester, 1934

 

BEST BOWLING IN A MATCH

Hedley Verity - 15 for 104, England v Australia, Lord’s, 1934

Clarrie Grimmett - 14 for 199, Australia v South Africa, Adelaide, 1931-32

Clarrie Grimmett - 13 for 173, Australia v South Africa, Durban, 1935-36

Arthur Mailey - 13 for 236, Australia v England, Melbourne, 1920-21

Jack White - 13 for 256, England v Australia, Adelaide, 1928-29

 

FIVE WICKETS IN AN INNINGS ON TEST DEBUT

James Langridge - 7 for 56, England v West Indies, Manchester, 1933

Alfred Hall - 7 for 63, South Africa v England, Cape Town, 1922-23

Clarrie Grimmett - 6 for 37, Australia v England, Sydney, 1924-25

Charles Marriott - 6 for 59, England v West Indies, The Oval, 1933

Alexander Bell - 6 for 99, South Africa v England, Lord’s, 1929

Francis Ward - 6 for 102, Australia v England, Brisbane, 1936-37

George Parker - 6 for 152, South Africa v England, Birmingham, 1924

Cedric Smith - 5 for 16, England v West Indies, Bridgetown, 1934-35

Wally Hammond - 5 for 36, England v South Africa, Johannesburg, 1927-28

George Bissett - 5 for 37, South Africa v England, Cape Town, 1927-28

Charles Marriott - 5 for 37, England v West Indies, The Oval, 1933

Maurice Allom - 5 for 38, England v New Zealand, Christchurch, 1929-30

Clarrie Grimmett - 5 for 45, Australia v England, Sydney, 1924-25

Henry Promnitz - 5 for 58, South Africa v England, Johannesburg, 1927-28

George Macaulay - 5 for 64, England v South Africa, Cape Town, 1922-23

Tim Wall - 5 for 66, Australia v England, Melbourne, 1928-29

Ken Farnes - 5 for 77, England v Australia, Nottingham, 1934

William Copson - 5 for 85, England v West Indies, Lord’s, 1939

Mohammad Nissar - 5 for 93, India v England, Lord’s, 1932

Reginald Perks - 5 for 100, England v South Africa, Durban, 1938-39

Ken Farnes - 5 for 102, England v Australia, Nottingham, 1934

Norman Gordon - 5 for 103, South Africa v England, Johannesburg, 1938-39

                                                                                                    

TEN WICKETS IN A MATCH ON TEST DEBUT

Clarrie Grimmett - 11 for 82, Australia v England, Sydney, 1924-25

Charles Marriott - 11 for 96, England v West Indies, The Oval, 1933

Alfred Hall - 11 for 112, South Africa v England, Cape Town, 1922-23

Ken Farnes - 10 for 179, England v Australia, Nottingham, 1934

 

HAT-TRICKS

Maurice Allom - England v New Zealand, Christchurch, 1929-30

Tom Goddard - England v South Africa, Johannesburg, 1938-39

 

MOST CATCHES BY A FIELDER

Wally Hammond (England) - Tests 77, Catches 101

Bruce Mitchell (South Africa) - Tests 32, Catches 44

Stan McCabe (Australia) - Tests 39, Catches 41

Jack Gregory (Australia) - Tests 24, Catches 37

Frank Woolley (England) - Tests 42, Catches 36

Patsy Hendren (England) - Tests 51, Catches 33

Percy Chapman (England) - Tests 26, Catches 32

Hedley Verity (England) - Tests 40, Catches 30

# In addition, Frank Woolley took 1 catch as wicketkeeper

Test Cricket - A World XI between the two World Wars

 

The inimitable Don Bradman in his record-breaking 1930 series.

The period between the two World Wars, and a few years more, was the Bradman era. No sportsman dominated any sport as The Don did. Not only in Test cricket but in the First-class game as well, Don Bradman was a colossus who set standards none has ever been able to come even close to matching.

Bradman notched up 468 runs in the four Tests that he played in his maiden Test series in 1928-29 against England, second in his team’s averages at 66.85 per innings. This was the only rubber that Australia lost, apart from the controversial Bodyline series of 1932-33, during the Bradman years. The 1938 face-off in England was drawn, while the other eight series ended on a victorious note. Wally Hammond piled up 905 runs in that series at an average of 113.12. This was the highest aggregate in a Test series by a long way, surpassing the brilliant South African allrounder Aubrey Faulkner’s tally of 732 in 1910-11, and Herbert Sutcliffe’s 734 in 1924-25, both against Australia. For Bradman it was a highly satisfying initiation to Test cricket.   

It was an extraordinary first-class season for Bradman. He hit the first of his six triple centuries, an unbeaten 340 in 488 minutes for New South Wales against Victoria at Sydney. In 13 matches he scored 1690 runs, a record for an Australian season, at an average of 93.88 with 7 hundreds. It was a season that launched the Bradman legend.

There were no Test matches in Australia during the next season of 1929-30, though Arthur Gilligan’s M.C.C. side stopped by to play a few first-class matches en-route to New Zealand for the inaugural Test series there. Totally focused on the first-class game, Bradman broke Bill Ponsford’s world record First-class score of 437 made two seasons earlier. He hit up 452 in just 415 minutes, having struck 49 boundaries, for New South Wales against Queensland at Sydney.

Bradman sailed for England with the 1930 Australian team. Cricket would henceforth never be the same again, and the name Bradman would be the first to be written down in the record books forever. Having scored 131 in the first Test at Trent Bridge, and a tremendous 254 in the second Test at Lord’s, Bradman hit up a triple century in a day at Leeds. On the second morning he surpassed Andy Sandham’s Test record of 325 achieved against the West Indies at Kingston the previous winter. It was an incredible innings lasting 383 minutes, his 334 off 448 balls studded with 46 boundaries. The next highest was Alan Kippax’s 77.  Bradman was sixth out at 508; Australia folded up for 566. He went on to score 232 in the fifth Test at The Oval.

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.

 The Bradman legend went from one high to another. The Australian icon was the second-highest run-getter in Tests between the two World Wars, with 5093 runs in 37 Tests with 21 hundreds and 8 fifties. Needless to say, Bradman averaged far higher than anyone else between the two wars, and indeed any other period in Test history. His average was 97.94, customary by his standards. The English off-side powerhouse Wally Hammond amassed 6883 runs in 77 Tests at 61.45, playing 70 more innings than Bradman, hitting up 22 hundreds and 22 fifties.

The next in terms of averages, after Bradman during this period, were names that would surprise no one:

Charlie ‘Governor-General’ Macartney, audacious Australian stroke-player, second to Bradman, at 69.55 for his 1252 runs in 14 Tests.

Len Hutton, record-breaking English opener at 67.25 for his 1345 runs in 13 Tests.

George Headley, pioneer among West Indies greats, at 66.71 for his 2135 runs in 19 Tests.

Hammond at 61.45

Herbert Sutcliffe, the resolute English opener at 60.73 for his 4555 runs in 54 Tests.

Eddie Paynter, England’s left-hander, at 59.23 for his 1540 runs in 20 Tests.

Jack Hobbs, the original master at 56.63 for his 2945 runs in 33 Tests.

Jack Ryder of Australia at 51.62 for his 1394 runs in 32 Tests.  

Among these top-class batsmen, one would choose the following five, in batting order, in a World XI between the two World Wars:

Jack Hobbs (England), Tests 33, Highest Score 211, Runs 2945, Average 56.63, Hundreds 10, Fifties 12

Herbert Sutcliffe (England), Tests 54, Highest Score 194, Runs 4555, Average 60.73, Hundreds 16, Fifties 23

Don Bradman (Australia), Tests 37, Highest Score 334, Runs 5093, Average 97.94, Hundreds 21, Fifties 8

George Headley (West Indies), Tests 19, Highest Score 270*, Runs 2135, Average 66.71, Hundreds 10, Fifties 5

Wally Hammond (England), Tests 77, Highest Score 336*, Runs 6883, Average 61.45, Hundreds 22, Fifties 22

The full Test career records of these great batsmen are:

Don Bradman, span 1928-48, Tests 52, Highest Score 334, Runs 6996, Average 99.94, Hundreds 29, Fifties 13

George Headley, span 1930-54, Tests 22, Highest Score 270*, Runs 2190, Average 60.83, Hundreds 10, Fifties 5

Herbert Sutcliffe, span 1924-1935, Tests 54, Highest Score 194, Runs 4555, Average 60.73, Hundreds 16, Fifties 23

Wally Hammond, span 1927-47, Tests 85, Highest Score 336*, Runs 7249, Average 58.45, Hundreds 22, Fifties 24

Jack Hobbs, span 1908-30, Tests 61, Highest Score 211, Runs 5410, Average 56.94, Hundreds 15, Fifties 28

What emerges from these figures is that there was no decline in the performances of the inimitable Don Bradman even after the seven-year break due to the Second World War. The same is true for the opening batsman par excellence Jack Hobbs who was brilliant either side of the First World War. George Headley was dubbed ‘the Black Bradman’ for his feats between the wars. He played two Tests in 1948 and one in 1954, which brought down his average, but still finished above 60.

It is a pity that one had to leave out four brilliant batsmen.

As mentioned, Charlie ‘Governor-General’ Macartney hit up 1252 runs, at 69.55 for in 14 Tests between the Wars. He began as a slow left-arm bowler before the First World War, but was an explosive batsman after the war with an average next only to Bradman between the two wars.

Len Hutton’s time would come after the War.

Bill Ponsford (Australia), Tests 29, Highest Score 266, Runs 2122, Average 48.22, Hundreds 7, Fifties 6

Stan McCabe (Australia), Tests 39, Highest Score 232, Runs 2748, Average 48.21, Hundreds 6, Fifties 13

The giants among bowlers between the two World Wars were the Australian leg-spin, googly duo of Clarrie Grimmett and Bill O’Reilly. They were essentially a part of the dominant Bradman era. Between them they captured 352 wickets in this period. O’Reilly played one Test in 1946, bagging another 8 wickets. The English reposte came from the right-arm fast-medium Maurice Tate, who also bowled off-spin, and the slow left-arm orthodox Hedley Verity. They prised out 299 wickets during this period. These are the only four bowlers who bagged 100 wickets in the inter-war phase, and at fine averages ranging between 23.68 and 26.16.

Their records between the Wars were:

Clarrie Grimmett (Australia, legbreak googly) 1925-36, Tests 37, Balls 14513, Wickets 216, Average 24.21, BBI 7/40, BBM 14/199, 5WI 21, 10WM 7

Maurice Tate (England, right-arm fast-medium, medium, offbreak) 1924-35, Tests 39, Balls 12523, Wickets 155, Average 26.16, BBI 6/42, BBM 11/228, 5WI 7, 10WM 1

Hedley Verity (England, slow left-arm orthodox) 1931-39, Tests 40, Balls 11173, Wickets 144, Average 24.37, BBI 8/43, BBM 15/104, 5WI 5, 10WM 2

Bill O’Reilly (Australia, legbreak googly) 1932-38, Tests 26, Balls 9910, Wickets 136, Average 23.68, BBI 7/54, BBM 11/129, 5WI 10, 10WM 3

To these one would add the terrifying England right-arm fast bowler Harold Larwood, scourge of batsmen during the infamous Bodyline series. His record between 1926-33 was: Tests 21, Balls 4969, Wickets 78, Average 28.35, BBI 6/32, BBM 10/124, 5WI 4, 10WM 1

In his full career, Bill O’Reilly ended up with the following record between 1932-46: Tests 27, Balls 10024, Wickets 144, Average 22.59, BBI 7/54, BBM 11/129, 5WI 11, 10WM 3

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. 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.

Wally Hammond would wheel over his medium pace. With Tate already in the XI for his bowling, one would pencil Gregory down as 12^th man. Those who would fulfil the allrounders roles in this team would, therefore, be:

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

In their entire careers, the other 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

The only wicketkeeper with 100 dismissals to his credit between the two World Wars was the great Australian William ‘Bert’ Oldfield. He pouched 78 catches and effected 52 stumpings, totalling 130 dismissals, in his 54 Tests between 1920 and 1937. He was a competent right-handed batsman too, scoring 1427 runs at an average of 22.65 with a highest score of 65 not out, and 4 half-centuries.

 England’s Leslie Ames narrowly missed the 100 dismissals mark. He took 72 catches behind the stumps and caused 23 stumpings, for an aggregate of 95 dismissals in 47 Tests between 1929 and 1939. He had two more catches to his name as a fielder. Ames was a top-class right-handed batsman, and many believed that he was in the Test side more for his batting skills than his prowess behind the stumps. He hit up 2434 runs at an average of 40.56, with 149 as his top score and 8 hundreds and 7 half-centuries. No other wicketkeeper had a century to his name in this period. Leslie Ames is the only wicketkeeper who figures in the line-up of top batsmen between the wars. He was without doubt the best wicketkeeper-batsman of this period.

George Duckworth was arguably the best English wicketkeeper in this era, but was eclipsed by the far superior batting skills of Ames in the latter part of his Test career. Duckworth held 45 catches and carried out 15 stumpings, aggregating 60 dismissals in 24 Tests from 1924 to 1936. He scored 234 runs with a best of 39 not out, averaging 14.62 with his right-hand batting.

The South African Horace ‘Jock’ Cameron was the fourth wicketkeeper to bag 50 dismissals and more between the Wars. In 26 Tests between 1927 and 1935, Cameron totalled 51 dismissals comprising 39 catches and 12 stumpings. He was a fine right-handed batsman, accumulating 1239 runs at an average of 30.21, with a top-score of 90, and 10 fifties.

Ultimately, it was a difficult choice between Oldfield and Ames, and for his versatility, one would opt for the latter.

So the Test team in batting order between the two World Wars would be:

1.        Jack Hobbs

2.        Herbert Sutcliffe

3.        Don Bradman (captain)

4.        George Headley

5.        Wally Hammond

6.        Leslie Ames (wicketkeeper)

7.        Maurice Tate

8.        Hedley Verity

9.        Clarrie Grimmett

10.    Bill O’Reilly

11.    Harold Larwood

12^th Man Jack Gregory

Top Bowlers in Test Cricket between the two World Wars

 

Clarrie Grimmett

Maurice Tate

Hedley Verity

Bill O'Reilly

Top Bowlers in Test Cricket between the two World Wars

The giants among bowlers between the two World Wars were the Australian leg-spin, googly duo of Clarrie Grimmett and Bill O’Reilly. Essentially a part of the dominant Bradman era. Between them they captured 352 wickets in this period. O’Reilly played one Test in 1946, bagging another 8 wickets. The English reposte came from the right-arm fast-medium Maurice Tate, who also bowled off-spin, and the slow left-arm orthodox Hedley Verity. They prised out 299 wickets during this period. These are the only four bowlers who bagged 100 wickets in the inter-war phase, and at fine averages ranging between 23.68 and 26.16.

The Aussie leg-break and googly specialist Arthur Mailey and the England’s left-arm fast-medium Bill Voce just missed out, snaring 99 and 97 wickets respectively. Voce took one more wicket after the war. The Australian slow left-armer Bert Ironmonger had the best average at 17.97 for his 74 wickets.

The best figures in an innings was 9 for 121 by Arthur Mailey against England at Melbourne in 1920-21. Hedley Verity had an analysis of 8 for 43 against Australia at Lord’s in 1934. The English slow left-arm orthodox Jack White took 8 for 126 against Australia at Adelaide in 1928-29.

The top haul in a Test was 15 for 104 by Verity against Australia at Lord’s in 1934, in what came to be known as ‘Verity’s Test’. This was followed by two superb analyses by Grimmett against South Africa four years apart. He captured 14 for 199 at Adelaide in 1931-32 and 13 for 173 at Durban in 1935-36. Mailey’s match figures against England at Melbourne in 1920-21 were 13 for 236. White, on his part, completed the Test versus Australia at Adelaide in 1928-29 with 13 for 256.

The first hat-trick came from the English right-arm medium-pacer Maurice Allom against New Zealand at Christchurch in 1929-30. England’s off-spinner Tom Goddard followed versus South Africa at Johannesburg in 1938-39.

The English fast bowling foursome Harold Larwood, Bill Voce, Gubby Allen and Bill Bowes captured 318 wickets between them in the inter-war period at fine averages in the 20s.

TOP WICKET-TAKERS (minimum 50 wickets)

Clarrie Grimmett (Australia, legbreak googly) 1925-36, Tests 37, Balls 14513, Wickets 216, Average 24.21, BBI 7/40, BBM 14/199, 5WI 21, 10WM 7

Maurice Tate (England, right-arm fast-medium, medium, offbreak) 1924-35, Tests 39, Balls 12523, Wickets 155, Average 26.16, BBI 6/42, BBM 11/228, 5WI 7, 10WM 1

Hedley Verity (England, slow left-arm orthodox) 1931-39, Tests 40, Balls 11173, Wickets 144, Average 24.37, BBI 8/43, BBM 15/104, 5WI 5, 10WM 2

Bill O’Reilly (Australia, legbreak googly) 1932-38, Tests 26, Balls 9910, Wickets 136, Average 23.68, BBI 7/54, BBM 11/129, 5WI 10, 10WM 3

Arthur Mailey (Australia, legbreak googly) 1920-26, Tests 21, Balls 6119, Wickets 99, Average 33.91, BBI 9/121, BBM 13/236, 5WI 6, 10WM 2

Bill Voce (England, left-arm fast-medium) 1930-37, Tests 24, Balls 5852, Wickets 97, Average 26.04, BBI 7/70, BBM 11/149, 5WI 3, 10WM 2

Jack Gregory (Australia, right-arm fast) 1920-28, Tests 24, Balls 5582, Wickets 85, Average 31.15, BBI 7/69, BBM 8/101, 5WI 4, 10WM –

Cyril Vincent (South Africa, slow left-arm orthodox) 1927-35, Tests 25, Balls 5851, Wickets 84, Average 31.32, BBI 6/51, BBM 8/149, 5WI 3, 10WM –

Wally Hammond (England, right-arm medium-fast) 1927-39, Tests 77, Balls 7963, Wickets 83, Average 37.77, BBI 5/36, BBM 7/87, 5WI 2, 10WM -

Harold Larwood (England, right-arm fast) 1926-33, Tests 21, Balls 4969, Wickets 78, Average 28.35, BBI 6/32, BBM 10/124, 5WI 4, 10WM 1

Gubby Allen (England, right-arm fast) 1930-37, Tests 22, Balls 4116, Wickets 76, Average 28.60, BBI 7/80, BBM 10/78, 5WI 5, 10WM 1

Bert Ironmonger (Australia, slow left-arm orthodox) 1928-33, Tests 14, Balls 4695, Wickets 74, Average 17.97, BBI 7/23, BBM 11/24, 5WI 4, 10WM 2

Bill Bowes (England, right-arm fast-medium, medium) 1932-39, Tests 14, Balls 3481, Wickets 67, Average 21.58, BBI 6/33, BBM 9/219, 5WI 6, 10WM –

AP ‘Tich’ Freeman (England, legbreak googly) 1924-29, Tests 12, Balls 3732, Wickets 66, Average 25.86, BBI 7/71, BBM 12/171, 5WI 5, 10WM 3

Walter Robins (England, legbreak) 1929-37, Tests 19, Balls 3318, Wickets 64, Average 27.46, BBI 6/32, BBM 7/68, 5WI 1, 10WM –

Ken Farnes (England, right-arm fast) 1934-39, Tests 15, Balls 3932, Wickets 60, Average 28.65, BBI 6/96, BBM 10/179, 5WI 3, 10WM 1

Learie Constantine (West Indies, right-arm fast, medium) 1928-39, Tests 18, Balls 3583, Wickets 58, Average 30.10, BBI 5/75, BBM 9/122, 5WI 2, 10WM –

Tim Wall (Australia, right-arm fast) 1929-34, Tests 18, Balls 4812, Wickets 56, Average 35.89, BBI 5/14, BBM 8/189, 5WI 3, 10WM –

EP ‘Buster’ Nupen (South Africa, right-arm fast-medium) 1921-36, Tests 17, Balls 4159, Wickets 50, Average 35.76, BBI 6

FULL CAREER

Bill O’Reilly (Australia) 1932-46, Tests 27, Balls 10024, Wickets 144, Average 22.59, BBI 7/54, BBM 11/129, 5WI 11, 10WM 3

Bill Voce (England) 1930-47, Tests 27, Balls 6360, Wickets 98, Average 27.88, BBI 7/70, BBM 11/149, 5WI 3, 10WM 2

Wally Hammond (England) 1927-47, Tests 85, Balls 7969, Wickets 83, Average 37.80, BBI 5/36, BBM 7/87, 5WI 2, 10WM –

Gubby Allen (England) 1930-48, Tests 25, Balls 4386, Wickets 81, Average 29.37, BBI 7/80, BBM 10/78, 5WI 5, 10WM 1

Bill Bowes (England) 1932-46, Tests 15, Balls 3655, Wickets 68, Average 22.33, BBI 6/33, BBM 9/219, 5WI 6, 10WM –

BEST AVERAGES (minimum 50 wickets)

Bert Ironmonger (Australia) 1928-33, Tests 14, Balls 4695, Wickets 74, Average 17.97, BBI 7/23, BBM 11/24, 5WI 4, 10WM 2

Bill Bowes (England) 1932-39, Tests 14, Balls 3481, Wickets 67, Average 21.58, BBI 6/33, BBM 9/219, 5WI 6, 10WM –

Bill O’Reilly (Australia) 1932-38, Tests 26, Balls 9910, Wickets 136, Average 23.68, BBI 7/54, BBM 11/129, 5WI 10, 10WM 3

Clarrie Grimmett (Australia) 1925-36, Tests 37, Balls 14513, Wickets 216, Average 24.21, BBI 7/40, BBM 14/199, 5WI 21, 10WM 7

Hedley Verity (England) 1931-39, Tests 40, Balls 11173, Wickets 144, Average 24.37, BBI 8/43, BBM 15/104, 5WI 5, 10WM 2

AP ‘Tich’ Freeman (England) 1924-29, Tests 12, Balls 3732, Wickets 66, Average 25.86, BBI 7/71, BBM 12/171, 5WI 5, 10WM 3

Bill Voce (England) 1930-37, Tests 24, Balls 5852, Wickets 97, Average 26.04, BBI 7/70, BBM 11/149, 5WI 3, 10WM 2

Maurice Tate (England) 1924-35, Tests 39, Balls 12523, Wickets 155, Average 26.16, BBI 6/42, BBM 11/228, 5WI 7, 10WM 1

Walter Robins (England) 1929-37, Tests 19, Balls 3318, Wickets 64, Average 27.46, BBI 6/32, BBM 7/68, 5WI 1, 10WM –

Harold Larwood (England) 1926-33, Tests 21, Balls 4969, Wickets 78, Average 28.35, BBI 6/32, BBM 10/124, 5WI 4, 10WM 1

Gubby Allen (England) 1930-37, Tests 22, Balls 4116, Wickets 76, Average 28.60, BBI 7/80, BBM 10/78, 5WI 5, 10WM 1

Ken Farnes (England) 1934-39, Tests 15, Balls 3932, Wickets 60, Average 28.65, BBI 6/96, BBM 10/179, 5WI 3, 10WM 1

Learie Constantine (West Indies) 1928-39, Tests 18, Balls 3583, Wickets 58, Average 30.10, BBI 5/75, BBM 9/122, 5WI 2, 10WM –

Jack Gregory (Australia) 1920-28, Tests 24, Balls 5582, Wickets 85, Average 31.15, BBI 7/69, BBM 8/101, 5WI 4, 10WM –

Cyril Vincent (South Africa) 1927-35, Tests 25, Balls 5851, Wickets 84, Average 31.32, BBI 6/51, BBM 8/149, 5WI 3, 10WM –

Arthur Mailey (Australia) 1920-26, Tests 21, Balls 6119, Wickets 99, Average 33.91, BBI 9/121, BBM 13/236, 5WI 6, 10WM 2

EP ‘Buster’ Nupen (South Africa) 1921-36, Tests 17, Balls 4159, Wickets 50, Average 35.76, BBI 6/46, BBM 11/150, 5WI 5, 10WM 1

Tim Wall (Australia) 1929-34, Tests 18, Balls 4812, Wickets 56, Average 35.89, BBI 5/14, BBM 8/189, 5WI 3, 10WM –

Wally Hammond (England) 1927-39, Tests 77, Balls 7963, Wickets 83, Average 37.77, BBI 5/36, BBM 7/87, 5WI 2, 10WM -

Jack White just missed the 50-wickets mark, ending up with 49 wickets at 32.26 in his decade-long 15-Test career from 1921 to 1931.

Among those who took between 25 and 49 wickets, the best averages were achieved by South Africa’s right-arm fast bowler George Bissett who played four Tests in only one series against England in 1927-28. He bagged 25 wickets at 18.76 apiece. England’s right-arm medium-pacer Alex Kennedy too played 5 Tests in just the series against South Africa in 1922-23. His tally was 31 wickets at 19.32.

The West Indies fast bowler Manny Martindale was next in the averages in this category with 37 wickets at 21.72 in 10 Tests between 1933 and 1939. He formed a fearsome fast bowling pair with Learie Constantine who took 58 wickets at an average of 30.10 in 18 Tests from 1928 to 1939.

The Indian duo of Mohammad Nissar and Amar Singh, both right-arm fast-medium, played in series against England between 1932 and 1936. Nissar captured 25 wickets at 28.28 in 6 Tests, while Amar Singh bagged 28 wickets at 30.64 In 7 Tests.