Australian wicket-keeper who played 54 Tests and was known for his exceptional glovework and courageous batting. He also served in World War I, earning the Military Cross for bravery.
Bert Oldfield is renowned for his exceptional wicketkeeping skills, holding the record for most stumpings in Test cricket, with an impressive 52 dismissals throughout his career. His unwavering dedication and precision behind the stumps earned him a permanent spot in the Australian cricket team.
Born on September 9, 1894, in Alexandria, a suburb of Sydney, Oldfield was the seventh child of John William Oldfield, an upholsterer, and his Australian wife Mary Gregory. During World War I, Oldfield served with the Australian Imperial Force as a Corporal in the 15th Field Ambulance. He was wounded and knocked unconscious at Ypres Salient in 1917, and spent six months recovering from shell shock.
After the war, Oldfield was selected to be part of the Australian Imperial Forces cricket team, which played 28 first-class matches in Britain, South Africa, and Australia between May 1919 and February 1920. He made his first-class debut in England in 1919 and played his first Test match against England in Sydney in the 1920-21 season.
In 1921, Oldfield entered into negotiations to play for Lancashire as an amateur. Although he was injured on the passage to the UK, he eventually replaced Carter for the last two Tests. He was dropped for several matches over the next few years, but established himself as Australia's automatic selection for wicketkeeper in the 1924-25 Ashes series against England.
Oldfield missed only one other Test in his career, the fourth Test of the 1932-33 Bodyline series. In the notorious third Test at Adelaide, the English Bodyline tactic of bowling fast balls directed at the Australian batsmen's bodies reached its most dramatic moment when a ball from fast bowler Harold Larwood hit Oldfield in the head, fracturing his skull.
Bert Oldfield's remarkable career spanned over two decades, during which he played 54 Test matches for Australia. His unwavering commitment to the sport and his impressive record behind the stumps have cemented his place as one of the greatest wicketkeepers in cricketing history.
Bert Oldfield's contributions to cricket extend beyond his impressive on-field performances. He played a significant role in shaping the sport during a tumultuous period in its history, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of cricketers.
Born in 1908
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Australian cricket team's 14th captain, leading the team to victory in the 1932-33 Ashes series, and a respected educator who served as a school principal.
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Australian sports legend who dominated cricket with record-breaking batting averages and also excelled in baseball, earning him a place in the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.
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A dominant all-rounder and captain of the Australian cricket team, known for his aggressive batting style and innovative tactics that transformed the game. He was also a respected journalist, writing for several newspapers and magazines.
Born in 1886
A talented Australian cricketer and soldier who served in World War I, known for his aggressive batting style and heroic war efforts.
