Bert Oldfield

Wisden cricketer of the year in 1927, Bert Oldfield was a classy wicketkeeper who filled the position in the Australian team for most of the years between the World Wars.                                                                             

Bert was born in the Sydney suburb of Alexandria on September 9th 1894.

He died on August 10th 1976.

Date

Event

1915

Enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, serving with the 15th Field Ambulance.

1919

Came to the selectors attention as a member of the AIF team.

1919/20

Played for NSW in the Sheffield Shield.

1920/21

Made his Test debut in the First Test against England at the SCG, sharing 'keeping duties with Hanson Carter until Carter's retirement at the end of the series.

1922

Opened a sports store in George Street Sydney, becoming a successful businessman.

1927

Named Wisden's Cricketer of the Year.

1933

A capable batsmen, Oldfield was knocked unconscious and suffered a fractured skull after being hit by a ball from England's Harold Larwood during the controversial Adelaide Test of the infamous "Bodyline" series.

1936/37

His last Test match for Australia was the 5th Test against England in Melbourne.

1921-37

Oldfield had made 130 dismissals in 54 Tests, including 52 stumpings. 1938 Published "Behind The Wicket".

1939

Commissioned a Lieutenant in the 17th Battalion.

1941

Promoted to Captain. 1943 Promoted to Major.

1954

Published "The Rattle of the Stumps".

1970

Awarded the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.).

1976

August 10th - Died in the Sydney suburb of Killara

 

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