WOODFULL AND TRUMPED

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3717, 2 November 1926, Page 2

WOODFULL AND TRUMPED

A CONTRAST ! | A Euroa correspondent, signing himself “ E. 5.,” has asked me to publish Victor Trumper’s great performances in England in 1902, and to compare same with W. Woodfull’s (writes ; “ in the ‘Australasian’). To those who have seen both batsmen it is scarcely necessary to remark that no two men afforded a greater contrast in style. All present-day patrons of the game have, i should say, seen \V. Woodfu 11 in action, but as Victor Trumpet' passed away in Sydney on June 28. 1915, there must he many who never had the pleasure ol seeing the dazzling champion at his best and brightest. It can truly lie stated that, while both batsmen rose to great heights in their individual styles, comparisons are odious. . There has been only one Victor Trumpet’. He was blessed by ‘Nature with everything but robust health. In all conditions he was a most fascinating I batsman to watch. His extreme sup- ' pie ness lent a peculiar grace ami charm to everything be did. That Woodiull lias succeeded in beating bis splendid average in Ins first attempt is a wonderl'iiT thing in itself, and, though it is not possible tor him to make his runs in the same manner as the graceful Victor, be lias adaptability, resource, and grit quite out of the common, and is a human run-making ma- : chine. So far as the two men are con- ; eerned, Woodiull is a wonderful maker 1 of runs, steady, true, and depend- ' able, while, if the word can be applied ; to cricket, Trumper was a genius, i The one point of resemblance so tar i as the' seasons 1992 and 1929 are concerned was that both years were exceptionally wet ones, But there are other | aerv important differences. It was ; Wood full’s first trip, and inasmuch \ us his average is the best ever achieved I by an Australian in England, lie has j placed himself on a pedestal. Trum--1 pen’s first trip to England was in 1899, and in bis first year he scored 1,559 i runs lor an average of 34.5. And he was aged only twenty-one years at the 1 time. And once there he scored 135 , not out in a test at Lord’s. But in 1 1992 be reached Ids zenith as a butsI man. in that wretched summer bo placed in thirty-five matches, bad fifty-three innings, his highest score was 128, and he made 2,579 runs, with an average of 48.4. He was as consistent as luAvas brilliuit. Of eleven innings of over 199, bis highest was 128, i\ ith„ut even one not out to swell his ayeri J,,re. hj) the fourth test at Manchesi ter, which Australia won by the narj row margin of 3 runs, Trumper made | a brilliant 104. On the other hand, it i must he admitted that Woodiull did I practically everything that was humanly i possible He played thirty-six innings 1 for an average of 58.8, with eight cenI turics and six not outs. In the thud I test he ma le 141, and in the fourth 1117. .... In their manner ol living and outlook on life generally there was much i in common between the past and present champions. One who charmed ua by his many brilliant displays has gone to that bourne from which no traveller | returns. He is immortalised as being in I ,-lass by himself, and wo honor him as bringing cricket lame to his native | loud, ' The other is returning home I alter Ids recent triumphs, and we honor j him for the deeds he has done. Apait I |Vom cricket altogether, both woie ( worthv representatives ol (heir i:ati\e I land in the home ol their lathers, and I as we raise our hats reverently lo him who has passed awav. let ns say in all loyalty and sincerity: ‘Mhc king is dead, long live the king.”