Введение
Уильям Малдон Вудфулл (22 августа 1897 – 11 августа 1965) – австралийский игрок в крикет 1920-х и 1930-х годов. Он был капитаном команд Виктории и Австралии и прославился своим достойным и моральным поведением во время бурных серий бодилайн в 1932–33 годах. Получив образование школьного учителя, Вудфулл был известен своим доброжелательным отношением к игрокам, терпением и оборонительной техникой в качестве открывающего бэтсмена. Вудфулл не был эффектным игроком, но отличался спокойствием, невозмутимостью и надежностью в трудных ситуациях. Его партнерство с соотечественником из Виктории Биллом Понсфордом как за штат, так и за Австралию, остается одним из самых успешных в истории. Хотя Вудфулл не славился тактическими навыками, игроки и наблюдатели восхищались его спортивным духом и способностью создавать успешную и преданную команду благодаря силе характера. Вудфулл начал играть в крикет в юном возрасте, не проявляя особых талантов. Он дебютировал в профессиональных соревнованиях в Мельбурне и оставался там до 19 лет. Впервые он сыграл в матче первого класса за Викторию в возрасте 24 лет в конце сезона 1921–22 годов. После того, как во втором матче он набрал столетие, Вудфулл был переведен на позицию открывающего бэтсмена в следующем сезоне и играл на этой позиции до конца карьеры. Набрав три столетия, включая 236, в сезоне 1925–26 годов, он был выбран для тура по Англии в 1926 году. Считаясь одним из последних игроков, включенных в состав, Вудфулл забил два столетия (двойной и обычный) в своих первых двух иннингах в Англии, что позволило ему дебютировать в первом Тест-матче. Вудфулл забил восемь столетий во время тура, возглавил список лучших бомбардиров Австралии и был назван одним из пяти игроков года по версии Wisden. По возвращении в Австралию Вудфулл сформировал партнерство с Понсфордом, и в сезоне 1926–27 годов они установили рекорд, набрав 375 пробежек в первом открывающем партнерстве, что привело к мировому рекорду командного результата в матчах первого класса – 1107. После ряда уходов из команды Вудфулл был назначен вице-капитаном Джека Райдера для домашней серии Эш в 1928–29 годах. Он вынес биту в рекордном поражении в первом Тест-матче. Хотя Англия легко выиграла со счетом 4–1, Вудфулл забил три столетия и добавил свой лучший результат в матчах первого класса – 275 не выбывших. Вудфулл неохотно стал капитаном в 1930 году, когда Райдера отстранили от команды, и его команда была высмеяна как худший австралийский состав, отправлявшийся в тур по Англии. Это был самый молодой состав, покинувший Австралию, что побудило комментаторов назвать команду «детским садом Вудфулла». Несмотря на свой тяжеловесный вид, он часто выходил вперед к боулеру, бросавшему спин. Как капитан, Вудфулл был известен своей храбростью и высокими моральными принципами перед лицом серии бодилайн. Однокомандник Стэн Маккейб описал его как «величайшего человека, которого я когда-либо встречал», добавив, что «непревзойденная самоотверженность Вудфулла завоевала верность, граничащую с преданностью». Австралийский крикетный писатель Джек Поллард сказал, что «Вудфулл имел привычку оказываться там, где было тяжело, и он принес австралийскому капитанству редкое достоинство». В то время как О’Рейли и Маккейб были полны похвалы Вудфуллу, сам Вудфулл никогда не употреблял алкоголь из-за строгого соблюдения своих религиозных принципов. В то время крикетные игроки широко рассматривали пиво как высокоэффективное средство для регидратации, и однажды Вудфулл пригрозил остановить игру, когда администраторы отказали его игрокам в дополнительном эле, сославшись на то, что они уже достигли своей квоты.
William Maldon Woodfull (22 August 1897 – 11 August 1965) was an Australian cricketer of the 1920s and 1930s. He captained both Victoria and Australia, and was best known for his dignified and moral conduct during the tumultuous bodyline series in 1932–33. Trained as a schoolteacher, Woodfull was known for his benevolent attitude towards his players, and his patience and defensive technique as an opening batsman. Woodfull was not a flamboyant player, but was known for his calm, unruffled style and his reliability in difficult situations. His opening pairing with fellow Victorian Bill Ponsford for both his state and Australia remains one of the most successful in history. While not known for his tactical skills, Woodfull was widely admired by his players and observers for his sportsmanship and ability to mould a successful and loyal team through the strength of his character. Woodfull started playing cricket from a young age without distinction. He made his professional debut in Melbourne's district competition staying until the age of 19. He made his first class debut for Victoria at the age of 24 late in 1921–22. After scoring a century in his second match, Woodfull was promoted to open the following season, and he opened for the rest of his career. After scoring three centuries, including a 236, in 1925–26, he was selected for the 1926 tour of England. Regarded as one of the last players selected, Woodfull scored a double century and century in his first two innings in England to earn his debut in the first Test. Woodfull made eight centuries during the tour and topped the Australian averages and was named one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year. Upon returning to Australia, Woodfull established his partnership with Ponsford, and in 1926–27 Shield season, they put on a record breaking 375 run opening stand, setting up a world record first class team score of 1107. Woodfull was appointed as vice captain to Jack Ryder for the 1928–29 home Ashes series following a spate of retirements. He carried his bat in a record breaking first Test defeat. Although England easily won 4–1, Woodfull scored three centuries, and added his best first class score for 275 not out. Woodfull reluctantly became captain in 1930 when Ryder was dropped, and his team was derided as the worst Australian squad to tour England. It was the youngest squad to leave Australia, prompting commentators to label the team "Woodfull's kindegarten". Despite his leaden appearance, he often advanced down the pitch to spin bowling. As a captain, Woodfull was known for his courage and high moral principles in the face of the bodyline series. Fellow player Stan McCabe described him as "the greatest man I ever met", He added that "Woodfull's unrivalled selflessness won fidelity bordering on devotion". Australian cricket writer Jack Pollard said that "Woodfull had the habit of being where things were tough, and he brought rare dignity to the Australian captaincy". and while O'Reilly and McCabe were full of praise for Woodfull, While Woodfull himself never touched alcohol due to his strict adherence to his religious principles, At the time, cricketers widely regarded beer as a highly effective means of rehydration, and on one occasion Woodfull threatened to halt play when administrators refused his players more ale on the grounds that they had already consumed their quota.
Ранние годы
Родился в центральном викторианском городе Малдон, Вудфулл был третьим из четырех сыновей Гертруды Лилиан (Абби) Вудфулл (1872–1941) и преподобного Томаса Стейнса Бритингхэма Вудфулла (1863–1941), методистского проповедника. Семья Вудфуллов переехала в Мельбурн, когда Томаса перевели в методистскую миссию Коллингвуда, в пригород. Вудфулл учился в Мельбурнской средней школе, и его ранняя карьера не была выдающейся. В 1916 году, в возрасте 19 лет, он дебютировал в окружном крикете за «Эссендон», но не проявил себя. До получения квалификации школьного учителя в 1919 году он больше не играл в крикет на этом уровне. В то время в Виктории было так много сильных игроков, что их второй состав был сопоставим по силе с основными командами других штатов. В первом иннинге Вудфулл набрал 47, прежде чем был выбит легит-спиннером Артуром Мэйли. После ровно 300 пробегов в матчах первого класса боулер впервые отправил его в аут. Затем он набрал 84 невыбитых и привел свою команду к победе с разницей в семь викетов. В сезоне 1923–24 он играл в каждом матче команды Виктории в Шеффилд-Шилде, набрав 300 пробегов при среднем показателе 37,50.
In a match against New South Wales in 1924–25, he compiled 81 and 120 not out as Victoria managed to take a seven wicket win after their opponents had accumulated 614 in the first innings. As a reward for winning the Sheffield Shield, Victoria embarked on a tour of New Zealand at the end of the season. Woodfull scored 212 not out against Canterbury, before scoring 110, 50 and 150 against New Zealand without being dismissed at all. During the 1925–26 season, players were vying for selection for the 1926 Ashes tour. The selectors were interested in Woodfull and selected him for an Australian XI to play the Rest of Australia in a Test trial. He made 11 and 42 as The Rest upset the Australian XI. After three matches without passing 53, Woodfull added 97 and 236 in a match against South Australia. He scored 126 in the next match, but was unable to stop an innings defeat to New South Wales for the second time in the season. They were the first of eight centuries during the tour, in which he compiled 1809 runs at 58.35. Woodfull put on a second wicket partnership of 235 with Charlie Macartney to register his maiden Test century of 141. Macartney launched a vicious counterattack and became the second Australian to score a Test century before lunch on the opening day; this bold play helped Woodfull to settle in and the Australians to seize the initiative on a bowler friendly surface. The tourists made 494 on the sticky wicket and forced England to follow on, but were unable to finish them off. In the closing stages of the tour, Woodfull compiled his eighth and final century of the campaign, an unbeaten 116 against an England XI in a drawn match. which laid the foundation for the world record first class score of 1107 against New South Wales. The stand eclipsed the Sheffield shield record of 298 for the first wicket by Victor Trumper and Reg Duff in 1902–03. Woodfull recorded his career best score of 284, compiled in five and a half hours of batting, He scored centuries in the first two matches before adding fifties in the next two. He ended the first class matches with 781 runs at 130.16. The Australian board had spent a great deal of time arguing over whether Woodfull or Victor Richardson should be Ryder's deputy, before realising that he selectors had omitted the latter. With six members of the team that played in the last Test in 1926 having retired, Australia would field and young and inexperienced team. Woodfull then made 68 to top score in the first innings of the second Test in Sydney. Australia conceded another mammoth first innings lead, 383. Woodfull made only one and 30 as Australia fell short by 12 runs in the fourth Test in Adelaide, but ended the season on a high. The match was a high scoring draw. Woodfull started the 1929–30 Australian season by scoring an unbeaten 100 against the touring MCC, overseeing a successful run chase.]] After the heavy 4–1 defeat in the previous Ashes series, captain and fellow Victorian Jack Ryder was omitted altogether from the 1930 Ashes tour, and Woodfull appointed captain. Ryder was one of the three selectors and advocated his own retention, but his two colleagues had voted him off. At first, Woodfull was reluctant to accept the job, feeling that it rightfully belonged to Ryder. When he was informed that Ryder was not even touring, Woodfull only agreed after a ballot was organised. Woodfull had limited leadership experience and in his brief captaincy duties had been the first captain to declare his team's second innings in Shield history. The tour started with a match against Worcestershire, with Woodfull scoring a century and Don Bradman making 236* in 275 minutes. Woodfull then added consecutive fifties in draws against the MCC and Surrey. After consecutive innings wins of Oxford University and Hampshire, Woodfull completed his Test preparation by striking 216 in an innings win over Cambridge University. However, Woodfull's Test captaincy started poorly in the first Test at Trent Bridge; he scored two and four as Australia fell to a 93 run defeat, Woodfull then made a 231 run stand with Bradman (254) in only two and a half hours and reached 155. With the series tied at 1–1 the fifth Test at The Oval was a timeless match. Woodfull won the toss and after England made 405, he scored 54 as Australia amassed 695 to win by an innings and regain the Ashes 2–1. Upon returning to Australia, Woodfull was elected as Victoria's delegate on the five man national selection panel, replacing Ryder. However, he resigned from the role before the next international series, thereby never participating in the selection of a Test team. This was followed by home series against the West Indies in 1930–31, the first Test tour of Australia by the Caribbean side. He ended the summer with 477 runs at 47.70. He then managed only 32 and nine as Victoria narrowly lost to South Australia by 21 runs. to help Australia make 554 and set up a 169 run win. but Australia won by an innings and 72 runs in the equivalent of a single day's play on a sticky wicket. and voted the most important Australian moment by a panel of Australian cricket identities. England's bodyline tactics, which involved bowling at speeds of around 150 km/h at the heads and torsoes of the Australian batsmen—including Woodfull—and employing a close leg side cordon to catch balls fended away from the upper body, caused great controversy and ill feeling among Australian players and crowds. However, they also hoped to restrict the other batsmen, Woodfull among them, through such means. During the season, Woodfull's physical courage, stoic and dignified leadership won him many admirers. He refused to employ retaliatory tactics and did not publicly complain even though he and his men were repeatedly hit— Once the issue was resolved, and practice stopped, Woodfull refused to discuss the matter, fearing that it would disturb the peace. Woodfull started the season strongly, scoring 74 and 83 in a loss to New South Wales in the second match of the summer, The match was drawn and Woodfull struggled, making 18 and a duck. This caused the toss to be delayed and fomented speculation that the Australian Board of Control were considering the possibility of removing Woodfull because of his absolute refusal to allow his bowlers to use retaliatory tactics. His deputy Victor Richardson had advocated retaliation along with several other players. Richardson recalled Woodfull's private response:
In the meantime, the second innings in Adelaide saw England set Australia a near impossible 532 for victory; even today, Australia lost its first wicket at three when Jack Fingleton was bowled by Larwood. Woodfull was joined by Bradman, who played in an unorthodox counterattacking method, before being dismissed for 66. Woodfull continued on to score an unbeaten 73, carrying his bat as his teammates capitulated around him. Australia was eventually all out for 193, with Oldfield unable to bat due to his fractured skull. Woodfull made scores of 67, 19, 14 and 67 in the final two Tests, which Australia lost by six and eight wickets respectively. In the fifth Test in Sydney, Larwood broke a bone in his foot, but Jardine made him complete the over, even though the laws of cricket permit a captain to switch bowlers mid over in the case of injury. Larwood stood stationary at the wicket and bowled without a run up, but Woodfull refused to take advantage of the injured bowler. He blocked the five remaining deliveries back down the wicket towards Larwood and refused to take a run. England reclaimed the Ashes 4–1. Woodfull led Australia back to England on a tour that had been under a cloud after the tempestuous cricket diplomacy of the previous bodyline series. After agreements were put in place so that bodyline would not be used, the tour went ahead. However, there were occasions when the Australians felt that their hosts had crossed the mark with tactics resembling bodyline. Woodfull started his final English campaign slowly. In his first eight innings, he scored only 161 runs at 20.12 with one half century. his men went on to win by 238 runs,
He then scored 73 run out, his only fifty in the Tests, as Australia made 491 and ceded a 136 run lead in the third Test at Old Trafford. However, they held on for a draw. Woodfull made a duck in the fourth Test at Headingley,
In the lead up to the decider, Woodfull ran into form. In consecutive innings, he scored 131 and 228 not out against Gloucestershire and Glamorgan respectively. Already angered by the absence of Larwood, the Nottinghamshire faithful heckled the Australians all day.
В матче против Нового Южного Уэльса в 1924–25 годах он набрал 81 и 120 невыбитых, и Виктории удалось одержать победу с разницей в семь викетов после того, как соперники набрали 614 пробегов в первом иннинге. В качестве награды за победу в Шеффилд-Шилде Виктория отправилась в тур по Новой Зеландии в конце сезона. Вудфулл набрал 212 невыбитых против Кентербери, а затем 110, 50 и 150 против Новой Зеландии, ни разу не будучи выбитым. В сезоне 1925–26 игроки боролись за место в составе сборной для тура по Пеплу 1926 года. Селекционеры заинтересовались Вудфуллом и включили его в состав сборной Австралии для матча против Остальной Австралии в качестве тестового испытания. Он набрал 11 и 42, в то время как Остальная Австралия одержала победу над австралийской сборной. После трех матчей, в которых он не смог набрать более 53 пробегов, Вудфулл добавил 97 и 236 в матче против Южной Австралии. В следующем матче он набрал 126, но не смог предотвратить поражение в иннинге от Нового Южного Уэльса во второй раз в сезоне. Это были первые из восьми столетий во время тура, в котором он набрал 1809 пробегов при среднем показателе 58,35. Вудфулл сформировал второе партнерство с Чарли Маккартни на 235 пробегов, чтобы зафиксировать свой первый тестовый век – 141. Маккартни начал яростную контратаку и стал вторым австралийцем, забившим тестовый век до обеда в первый день; эта смелая игра помогла Вудфуллу освоиться, а австралийцы захватить инициативу на поверхности, благоприятной для боулеров. Туристы набрали 494 на липком викете и заставили Англию следовать за ними, но не смогли завершить дело. На заключительном этапе тура Вудфулл набрал свой восьмой и последний век в кампании – 116 невыбитых против английской сборной в матче, завершившемся вничью, что заложило основу для мирового рекорда первого класса в 1107 пробегов против Нового Южного Уэльса. Этот результат превзошел рекорд Шеффилд-Шилда в 298 пробегов за первый уикет, установленный Виктором Трампером и Регом Даффом в 1902–03 годах. Вудфулл показал лучший результат в своей карьере – 284 пробега, набранные за пять с половиной часов игры. Он забил столетия в первых двух матчах, а затем добавил полвека в следующих двух. Он завершил матчи первого класса, набрав 781 пробег при среднем показателе 130,16. Австралийский совет потратил много времени на споры о том, кто должен быть заместителем Райдера – Вудфулл или Виктор Ричардсон, прежде чем понять, что селекционеры исключили последнего. После того, как шесть членов команды, сыгравшей в последнем тесте в 1926 году, завершили карьеру, Австралия выставила молодую и неопытную команду. Затем Вудфулл набрал 68, став лучшим бомбардиром в первом иннинге второго теста в Сиднее. Австралия уступила очередной огромный перевес в первом иннинге – 383. Вудфулл набрал всего 1 и 30, когда Австралия не дотянула до 12 пробегов в четвертом тесте в Аделаиде, но завершил сезон на подъеме. Матч завершился вничью с высоким счетом. Вудфулл начал австралийский сезон 1929–30 годов, набрав невыбитые 100 против гастролирующей MCC, обеспечив успешную погоню за результатом. После тяжелого поражения со счетом 4–1 в предыдущей серии Пепла капитан и его земляк из Виктории Джек Райдер был полностью исключен из тура Пепла 1930 года, и Вудфулл был назначен капитаном. Райдер был одним из трех селекционеров и выступал за свое сохранение, но его два коллеги проголосовали против него. Сначала Вудфулл не хотел брать на себя эту работу, считая, что она по праву принадлежит Райдеру. Когда ему сообщили, что Райдер даже не будет гастролировать, Вудфулл согласился только после организации голосования. У Вудфулла был ограниченный опыт руководства, и в его коротких обязанностях капитана он стал первым капитаном, объявившим второй иннинг своей команды в истории Шеффилд-Шилда. Тур начался с матча против Уорчестершира, в котором Вудфулл набрал столетие, а Дон Брэдмен – 236* за 275 минут. Затем Вудфулл добавил последовательные полвека в ничьих против MCC и Суррея. После последовательных побед в иннингах над Оксфордским университетом и Хэмпширом Вудфулл завершил свою подготовку к тесту, набрав 216 в победном матче над Кембриджским университетом. Однако тестовое капитанство Вудфулла началось неудачно в первом тесте на Трент-Бридже; он набрал 2 и 4, когда Австралия потерпела поражение с разницей в 93 пробега. Затем Вудфулл сформировал партнерство с Брэдменом (254) на 231 пробег всего за два с половиной часа и достиг 155. При равном счете в серии 1–1 пятый тест на «Овале» был бессрочным матчем. Вудфулл выиграл подбрасывание монеты, и после того, как Англия набрала 405, он набрал 54, когда Австралия набрала 695, чтобы победить в иннинге и вернуть Пепел со счетом 2–1. По возвращении в Австралию Вудфулл был избран делегатом от Виктории в пятичленную национальную комиссию по отбору, заменив Райдера. Однако он ушел с этой должности перед следующей международной серией, таким образом, никогда не участвуя в отборе тестовой команды. За этим последовали домашние серии против Вест-Индии в 1930–31 годах, первый тестовый тур Вест-Индии по Австралии. Он завершил лето, набрав 477 пробегов при среднем показателе 47,70. Затем он набрал всего 32 и 9, когда Виктория с трудом проиграла Южной Австралии с разницей в 21 пробег. чтобы помочь Австралии набрать 554 и создать победу с разницей в 169 пробегов, но Австралия выиграла в иннинге и с разницей в 72 пробега в эквиваленте однодневной игры на липком викете и был признан самым важным австралийским моментом группой австралийских экспертов по крикету. Тактика боулинга Англии, которая заключалась в бросках со скоростью около 150 км/ч в головы и туловище австралийских бэтсменов, включая Вудфулла, и использовании плотного легового кордона для ловли мячей, отбитых от верхней части тела, вызвала большие споры и недовольство среди австралийских игроков и зрителей. Однако они также надеялись ограничить других бэтсменов, в том числе Вудфулла, такими средствами. В течение сезона физическая храбрость Вудфулла, стоическое и достойное лидерство завоевали ему много поклонников. Он отказался применять ответные тактики и не жаловался публично, даже несмотря на то, что он и его товарищи по команде неоднократно получали удары. Как только вопрос был решен, и практика прекратилась, Вудфулл отказался обсуждать этот вопрос, опасаясь, что это нарушит мир. Вудфулл начал сезон сильно, набрав 74 и 83 в поражении от Нового Южного Уэльса во втором матче лета. Матч завершился вничью, и Вудфулл испытывал трудности, набрав 18 и ноль. Это привело к задержке подбрасывания монеты и породило предположения о том, что Австралийский совет по контролю рассматривает возможность отстранения Вудфулла из-за его абсолютного отказа позволить своим боулерам использовать ответные тактики. Его заместитель Виктор Ричардсон выступал за ответные меры, как и несколько других игроков. Ричардсон вспомнил частный ответ Вудфулла:
In a match against New South Wales in 1924–25, he compiled 81 and 120 not out as Victoria managed to take a seven wicket win after their opponents had accumulated 614 in the first innings. As a reward for winning the Sheffield Shield, Victoria embarked on a tour of New Zealand at the end of the season. Woodfull scored 212 not out against Canterbury, before scoring 110, 50 and 150 against New Zealand without being dismissed at all. During the 1925–26 season, players were vying for selection for the 1926 Ashes tour. The selectors were interested in Woodfull and selected him for an Australian XI to play the Rest of Australia in a Test trial. He made 11 and 42 as The Rest upset the Australian XI. After three matches without passing 53, Woodfull added 97 and 236 in a match against South Australia. He scored 126 in the next match, but was unable to stop an innings defeat to New South Wales for the second time in the season. They were the first of eight centuries during the tour, in which he compiled 1809 runs at 58.35. Woodfull put on a second wicket partnership of 235 with Charlie Macartney to register his maiden Test century of 141. Macartney launched a vicious counterattack and became the second Australian to score a Test century before lunch on the opening day; this bold play helped Woodfull to settle in and the Australians to seize the initiative on a bowler friendly surface. The tourists made 494 on the sticky wicket and forced England to follow on, but were unable to finish them off. In the closing stages of the tour, Woodfull compiled his eighth and final century of the campaign, an unbeaten 116 against an England XI in a drawn match. which laid the foundation for the world record first class score of 1107 against New South Wales. The stand eclipsed the Sheffield shield record of 298 for the first wicket by Victor Trumper and Reg Duff in 1902–03. Woodfull recorded his career best score of 284, compiled in five and a half hours of batting, He scored centuries in the first two matches before adding fifties in the next two. He ended the first class matches with 781 runs at 130.16. The Australian board had spent a great deal of time arguing over whether Woodfull or Victor Richardson should be Ryder's deputy, before realising that he selectors had omitted the latter. With six members of the team that played in the last Test in 1926 having retired, Australia would field and young and inexperienced team. Woodfull then made 68 to top score in the first innings of the second Test in Sydney. Australia conceded another mammoth first innings lead, 383. Woodfull made only one and 30 as Australia fell short by 12 runs in the fourth Test in Adelaide, but ended the season on a high. The match was a high scoring draw. Woodfull started the 1929–30 Australian season by scoring an unbeaten 100 against the touring MCC, overseeing a successful run chase.]] After the heavy 4–1 defeat in the previous Ashes series, captain and fellow Victorian Jack Ryder was omitted altogether from the 1930 Ashes tour, and Woodfull appointed captain. Ryder was one of the three selectors and advocated his own retention, but his two colleagues had voted him off. At first, Woodfull was reluctant to accept the job, feeling that it rightfully belonged to Ryder. When he was informed that Ryder was not even touring, Woodfull only agreed after a ballot was organised. Woodfull had limited leadership experience and in his brief captaincy duties had been the first captain to declare his team's second innings in Shield history. The tour started with a match against Worcestershire, with Woodfull scoring a century and Don Bradman making 236* in 275 minutes. Woodfull then added consecutive fifties in draws against the MCC and Surrey. After consecutive innings wins of Oxford University and Hampshire, Woodfull completed his Test preparation by striking 216 in an innings win over Cambridge University. However, Woodfull's Test captaincy started poorly in the first Test at Trent Bridge; he scored two and four as Australia fell to a 93 run defeat, Woodfull then made a 231 run stand with Bradman (254) in only two and a half hours and reached 155. With the series tied at 1–1 the fifth Test at The Oval was a timeless match. Woodfull won the toss and after England made 405, he scored 54 as Australia amassed 695 to win by an innings and regain the Ashes 2–1. Upon returning to Australia, Woodfull was elected as Victoria's delegate on the five man national selection panel, replacing Ryder. However, he resigned from the role before the next international series, thereby never participating in the selection of a Test team. This was followed by home series against the West Indies in 1930–31, the first Test tour of Australia by the Caribbean side. He ended the summer with 477 runs at 47.70. He then managed only 32 and nine as Victoria narrowly lost to South Australia by 21 runs. to help Australia make 554 and set up a 169 run win. but Australia won by an innings and 72 runs in the equivalent of a single day's play on a sticky wicket. and voted the most important Australian moment by a panel of Australian cricket identities. England's bodyline tactics, which involved bowling at speeds of around 150 km/h at the heads and torsoes of the Australian batsmen—including Woodfull—and employing a close leg side cordon to catch balls fended away from the upper body, caused great controversy and ill feeling among Australian players and crowds. However, they also hoped to restrict the other batsmen, Woodfull among them, through such means. During the season, Woodfull's physical courage, stoic and dignified leadership won him many admirers. He refused to employ retaliatory tactics and did not publicly complain even though he and his men were repeatedly hit— Once the issue was resolved, and practice stopped, Woodfull refused to discuss the matter, fearing that it would disturb the peace. Woodfull started the season strongly, scoring 74 and 83 in a loss to New South Wales in the second match of the summer, The match was drawn and Woodfull struggled, making 18 and a duck. This caused the toss to be delayed and fomented speculation that the Australian Board of Control were considering the possibility of removing Woodfull because of his absolute refusal to allow his bowlers to use retaliatory tactics. His deputy Victor Richardson had advocated retaliation along with several other players. Richardson recalled Woodfull's private response:
In the meantime, the second innings in Adelaide saw England set Australia a near impossible 532 for victory; even today, Australia lost its first wicket at three when Jack Fingleton was bowled by Larwood. Woodfull was joined by Bradman, who played in an unorthodox counterattacking method, before being dismissed for 66. Woodfull continued on to score an unbeaten 73, carrying his bat as his teammates capitulated around him. Australia was eventually all out for 193, with Oldfield unable to bat due to his fractured skull. Woodfull made scores of 67, 19, 14 and 67 in the final two Tests, which Australia lost by six and eight wickets respectively. In the fifth Test in Sydney, Larwood broke a bone in his foot, but Jardine made him complete the over, even though the laws of cricket permit a captain to switch bowlers mid over in the case of injury. Larwood stood stationary at the wicket and bowled without a run up, but Woodfull refused to take advantage of the injured bowler. He blocked the five remaining deliveries back down the wicket towards Larwood and refused to take a run. England reclaimed the Ashes 4–1. Woodfull led Australia back to England on a tour that had been under a cloud after the tempestuous cricket diplomacy of the previous bodyline series. After agreements were put in place so that bodyline would not be used, the tour went ahead. However, there were occasions when the Australians felt that their hosts had crossed the mark with tactics resembling bodyline. Woodfull started his final English campaign slowly. In his first eight innings, he scored only 161 runs at 20.12 with one half century. his men went on to win by 238 runs,
He then scored 73 run out, his only fifty in the Tests, as Australia made 491 and ceded a 136 run lead in the third Test at Old Trafford. However, they held on for a draw. Woodfull made a duck in the fourth Test at Headingley,
In the lead up to the decider, Woodfull ran into form. In consecutive innings, he scored 131 and 228 not out against Gloucestershire and Glamorgan respectively. Already angered by the absence of Larwood, the Nottinghamshire faithful heckled the Australians all day.
В то же время второй иннинг в Аделаиде показал, что Англия установила для Австралии почти невозможную задачу в 532 пробега для победы; даже сегодня Австралия потеряла свой первый уикет на третьем, когда Джека Финглетона выбил Ларвуд. К Вудфуллу присоединился Брэдмен, который играл в неортодоксальном стиле контратаки, прежде чем был выбит за 66. Вудфулл продолжил набрать невыбитые...
In a match against New South Wales in 1924–25, he compiled 81 and 120 not out as Victoria managed to take a seven wicket win after their opponents had accumulated 614 in the first innings. As a reward for winning the Sheffield Shield, Victoria embarked on a tour of New Zealand at the end of the season. Woodfull scored 212 not out against Canterbury, before scoring 110, 50 and 150 against New Zealand without being dismissed at all. During the 1925–26 season, players were vying for selection for the 1926 Ashes tour. The selectors were interested in Woodfull and selected him for an Australian XI to play the Rest of Australia in a Test trial. He made 11 and 42 as The Rest upset the Australian XI. After three matches without passing 53, Woodfull added 97 and 236 in a match against South Australia. He scored 126 in the next match, but was unable to stop an innings defeat to New South Wales for the second time in the season. They were the first of eight centuries during the tour, in which he compiled 1809 runs at 58.35. Woodfull put on a second wicket partnership of 235 with Charlie Macartney to register his maiden Test century of 141. Macartney launched a vicious counterattack and became the second Australian to score a Test century before lunch on the opening day; this bold play helped Woodfull to settle in and the Australians to seize the initiative on a bowler friendly surface. The tourists made 494 on the sticky wicket and forced England to follow on, but were unable to finish them off. In the closing stages of the tour, Woodfull compiled his eighth and final century of the campaign, an unbeaten 116 against an England XI in a drawn match. which laid the foundation for the world record first class score of 1107 against New South Wales. The stand eclipsed the Sheffield shield record of 298 for the first wicket by Victor Trumper and Reg Duff in 1902–03. Woodfull recorded his career best score of 284, compiled in five and a half hours of batting, He scored centuries in the first two matches before adding fifties in the next two. He ended the first class matches with 781 runs at 130.16. The Australian board had spent a great deal of time arguing over whether Woodfull or Victor Richardson should be Ryder's deputy, before realising that he selectors had omitted the latter. With six members of the team that played in the last Test in 1926 having retired, Australia would field and young and inexperienced team. Woodfull then made 68 to top score in the first innings of the second Test in Sydney. Australia conceded another mammoth first innings lead, 383. Woodfull made only one and 30 as Australia fell short by 12 runs in the fourth Test in Adelaide, but ended the season on a high. The match was a high scoring draw. Woodfull started the 1929–30 Australian season by scoring an unbeaten 100 against the touring MCC, overseeing a successful run chase.]] After the heavy 4–1 defeat in the previous Ashes series, captain and fellow Victorian Jack Ryder was omitted altogether from the 1930 Ashes tour, and Woodfull appointed captain. Ryder was one of the three selectors and advocated his own retention, but his two colleagues had voted him off. At first, Woodfull was reluctant to accept the job, feeling that it rightfully belonged to Ryder. When he was informed that Ryder was not even touring, Woodfull only agreed after a ballot was organised. Woodfull had limited leadership experience and in his brief captaincy duties had been the first captain to declare his team's second innings in Shield history. The tour started with a match against Worcestershire, with Woodfull scoring a century and Don Bradman making 236* in 275 minutes. Woodfull then added consecutive fifties in draws against the MCC and Surrey. After consecutive innings wins of Oxford University and Hampshire, Woodfull completed his Test preparation by striking 216 in an innings win over Cambridge University. However, Woodfull's Test captaincy started poorly in the first Test at Trent Bridge; he scored two and four as Australia fell to a 93 run defeat, Woodfull then made a 231 run stand with Bradman (254) in only two and a half hours and reached 155. With the series tied at 1–1 the fifth Test at The Oval was a timeless match. Woodfull won the toss and after England made 405, he scored 54 as Australia amassed 695 to win by an innings and regain the Ashes 2–1. Upon returning to Australia, Woodfull was elected as Victoria's delegate on the five man national selection panel, replacing Ryder. However, he resigned from the role before the next international series, thereby never participating in the selection of a Test team. This was followed by home series against the West Indies in 1930–31, the first Test tour of Australia by the Caribbean side. He ended the summer with 477 runs at 47.70. He then managed only 32 and nine as Victoria narrowly lost to South Australia by 21 runs. to help Australia make 554 and set up a 169 run win. but Australia won by an innings and 72 runs in the equivalent of a single day's play on a sticky wicket. and voted the most important Australian moment by a panel of Australian cricket identities. England's bodyline tactics, which involved bowling at speeds of around 150 km/h at the heads and torsoes of the Australian batsmen—including Woodfull—and employing a close leg side cordon to catch balls fended away from the upper body, caused great controversy and ill feeling among Australian players and crowds. However, they also hoped to restrict the other batsmen, Woodfull among them, through such means. During the season, Woodfull's physical courage, stoic and dignified leadership won him many admirers. He refused to employ retaliatory tactics and did not publicly complain even though he and his men were repeatedly hit— Once the issue was resolved, and practice stopped, Woodfull refused to discuss the matter, fearing that it would disturb the peace. Woodfull started the season strongly, scoring 74 and 83 in a loss to New South Wales in the second match of the summer, The match was drawn and Woodfull struggled, making 18 and a duck. This caused the toss to be delayed and fomented speculation that the Australian Board of Control were considering the possibility of removing Woodfull because of his absolute refusal to allow his bowlers to use retaliatory tactics. His deputy Victor Richardson had advocated retaliation along with several other players. Richardson recalled Woodfull's private response:
In the meantime, the second innings in Adelaide saw England set Australia a near impossible 532 for victory; even today, Australia lost its first wicket at three when Jack Fingleton was bowled by Larwood. Woodfull was joined by Bradman, who played in an unorthodox counterattacking method, before being dismissed for 66. Woodfull continued on to score an unbeaten 73, carrying his bat as his teammates capitulated around him. Australia was eventually all out for 193, with Oldfield unable to bat due to his fractured skull. Woodfull made scores of 67, 19, 14 and 67 in the final two Tests, which Australia lost by six and eight wickets respectively. In the fifth Test in Sydney, Larwood broke a bone in his foot, but Jardine made him complete the over, even though the laws of cricket permit a captain to switch bowlers mid over in the case of injury. Larwood stood stationary at the wicket and bowled without a run up, but Woodfull refused to take advantage of the injured bowler. He blocked the five remaining deliveries back down the wicket towards Larwood and refused to take a run. England reclaimed the Ashes 4–1. Woodfull led Australia back to England on a tour that had been under a cloud after the tempestuous cricket diplomacy of the previous bodyline series. After agreements were put in place so that bodyline would not be used, the tour went ahead. However, there were occasions when the Australians felt that their hosts had crossed the mark with tactics resembling bodyline. Woodfull started his final English campaign slowly. In his first eight innings, he scored only 161 runs at 20.12 with one half century. his men went on to win by 238 runs,
He then scored 73 run out, his only fifty in the Tests, as Australia made 491 and ceded a 136 run lead in the third Test at Old Trafford. However, they held on for a draw. Woodfull made a duck in the fourth Test at Headingley,
In the lead up to the decider, Woodfull ran into form. In consecutive innings, he scored 131 and 228 not out against Gloucestershire and Glamorgan respectively. Already angered by the absence of Larwood, the Nottinghamshire faithful heckled the Australians all day.