Published: Sep 09, 2016, 06:38 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 12, 2016, 01:33 PM (IST)
Born September 9, 1894, Bert Oldfield was one of the finest wicketkeepers in cricket history. The first wicketkeeper ever to affect 100 dismissals and 1,000 runs, Oldfield, the true gentleman, defended Harold Larwood despite a bouncer from the England bowler resulted in a fractured skull for the Australian cricketer in the Ashes 1932-33. Devarchit Varma brings interesting facts about the legend:
1. Not a wicketkeeper!: Bert Oldfield did not start as a wicketkeeper; in fact, at Cleveland High School in Redfern, New South Wales (NSW) he began as a seamer who could bat a little bit.
2. The beginning: Oldfield’s wicketkeeping career began at the Glebe and Gordon Clubs when the regular wicketkeeper did not turn up.
3. A wicketkeeper goes to the War: Among the many cricketers in those dreadful years, Oldfield too had no other option but to enrol himself for the World War I.
4. Lucky escape: The Australian cricketer was moved to France from Egypt. In 1917, in Polygon Wood in France serving with the 15th Field Ambulance, Oldfield was hit by a German shell. When he was being taken for treatment on a stretcher, another shell exploded that killed his colleagues. Oldfield was discovered buried in a bloodied mud, unconscious, just at the right time.
5. Back to cricket: Oldfield arrived in England for treatment, and during that time, he got an opening in the Australian Imperial Forces. Their wicketkeeper was injured and Oldfield was taken in. He impressed with his ‘keeping skills, and took giant strides when Oldfield was back in Australia. Another impressive show against South Australia saw him earning his Test call-up.
6. Australia’s No. 1: Oldfield was understudy of Sammy Carter. When he replaced the senior player in the final Test of the Ashes 1921, England scored a match total of 647. Oldfield was so immaculate that out of those 647 runs, only one bye was conceded. This established Oldfield as Australia’s No. 1 wicketkeeper.
7. World No. 1: The two Ashes series in 1924-25 saw Oldfield becoming the world’s best wicketkeeper, which was consolidated with splendid performances against South Africa in two separate series. In the Ashes, he had a total of 10 catches and 8 stumpings. Against South Africa in 1930 and 1935-36, he affected 7 stumpings, and against the same opponent in 1931-32, he claimed 6 stumpings, as much as he did in the Ashes 1934. Truly the world No. 1
8. Defending Harold Larwood: At Adelaide in the Ashes 1932-33, Oldfield was among the Australians who bore the brunt of the English firepower. Harold Larwood, after hitting Bill Woodfull on his chest, had one crashing into Oldfield’s skull as the batsman tried to duck. The ball took an inside edge, hit Oldfield on his skull which resulted into a fracture. But Oldfield never saw any wrong in what Larwood did; instead he maintained that it was his own fault in letting the ball hit him.
9. A true gentleman: Oldfield and Larwood became friends after the latter moved to Australia, and this was just a small example of him being a gentleman. As a wicketkeeper, he would remove only one bail. Oldfield would never almost appeal, and he would always remain calm.
10. The numbers: They are mind-boggling. Oldfield played 54 Tests, and affected 52 stumpings, which still is a world record. Oldfield was the first wicketkeeper to effect one hundred dismissals, and the first wicketkeeper-batsman to 1,000 runs. And he shared a very special bond with Clarie Grimmet: the wicketkeeper had as many as 28 stumpings off the bowler, which remains a world record.
(Devarchit Varma is senior writer with CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter @Devarchit)
