W. Rhodes... Not Out ... 90

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31521, 8 November 1967, Page 19

W. Rhodes... Not Out ... 90

'J'HE only man living to have played test cricket in the nineteenth century, Wilfred Rhodes a week ago celebrated his 90th birthday. He follows in the firm steps of S. F. Barnes, a contemporary in the England team in the early years of this century, who is still alive and now 94. Rhodes, a slow left-arm bowler from Yorkshire atid a right-hand batsman, had almost three separate and distinct test “careers." The first was as a bowler who, even on the wonderful Australian pitches of the day. could contain V. T. Trumper. Then he became a successful opening partner to the great J. B. Hobbs and did very little bowling. Finally, in 1926, and near his fortyninth birthday. Rhodes was recalled to the England team as a bowler and played a vital part in the recovery of the Ashes in the final test

Rhodes still holds the record for doubles—looo runs and 100 wickets—in an English season: 16, and this figure will probably never be surpassed. He also took more than 4000 wickets, which is another record, and made nearly 40,000 runs. Rhodes was nearly always associated with his fellow Yorkshireman, G. H. Hirst, and one of the most famous cricket matches was climaxed by this pair. It was the final test of the 1902 series against Australia, and England still needed 15 runs to win when Rhodes, the last man. joined Hirst. Folk lore records that Hirst said: "We’ll get them in singles, Wilfred,’’ which is now strictly true, but get them they did. Rhodes has been blind for about 15 years, but still attends the Scarborough Festival “watching” by ear and exercising a unique (unofiicial) patronage over the

festival. Since 1898. and excluding war years, Rhodes has never missed attending Scarborough as a player or spectator.