On this day in 1934: legendary Frank Woolley’s farewell day

Frank Edward Woolley was one of the most elegant left-handed all-rounders of all time. His illustrious first-class career lasted for 22 years between 1906 to 1938 where he went on to score 58.969 runs at an average of 40.75. The legendary cricketer also registered 2066 scalps to his name and also scored 145 tons.

It was the Tonbridge Cricket Ground where it all started for a young Woolley who was absolutely brilliant with both the bat and ball. Meanwhile, it was in this very day in 1934 that happened to be Woolley’s farewell day in Test cricket.

When the talented Frank Woolley brought curtains down on his illustrious Test career

Frank Woolley was a complete cricketing package who had all qualities that any cricketer dreams of having- batting, bowling and fielding. He played 64 Tests for England (52 consecutive), scoring 3,283 runs at 36.0,7 including five centuries. He took 83 wickets and 64 catches.

It is to be noted that his cricketing career would have been even more illustrious had he not missed precious six years due to the first World War, which forced him to miss the game when he was in his prime age of 27 to 32. He has made his Test debut for England in 1909 at the age of 22.

Even thought he was Kent’s cricketing mainstay, Woolley could not attain any fame and fortune at the highest level when he started i.e. during the first series and the tour if South Africa that followed.

It was during the 1911-12 Ashes that Woolley announced his arrival to the world as he finished the series scoring 289 runs and eight wickets as England registered a comfortable 4-1 win.

When Woolley returned post World War I, his form had never left him as he had an outstanding 1919 and 1920 seasons where he also ended up topping the bowling charts. After a few years, an ageing Woolley focused on full-time batting in order to prolong his career.

The move did wonders as he began scoring consistently even when he was 40 and above. As they say ‘All good things must come to an end’, Woolley made his final Test appearance at The Oval.

Unfortunately for him, it was not a fairytale ending as the legendary all-rounder scored a duck in his final innings. Thus, it marked the end of what was a successful Test career for a person who defied all odds and also proved that age is just a number.