Wilfred Rhodes is considered as one of the greatest cricketers in the history of the game and some of the records that he has accumulated in his period might never be broken.
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When one does a basic search on the top wicket-takers in First-Class cricket, one name stands out. Wilfred Rhodes is the only player to have transcended both the 19th century and 20th century. His playing span was 32 years from 1898 to 1930. However, a mere look at his numbers redefines the word colossus in a big way. In 58 Tests, his batting average was 30, and his bowling average was 26. One might argue in the modern era how can this be a colossal figure?
It is in the First-Class arena that this individual has accumulated records. He has played a total of 1110 matches for Yorkshire. No one has ever played 1000 First-Class games, with the closest being Frank Woolley with 978 games. His wickets tally is simply unbelievable. 4204 wickets. 287 five-wicket hauls and 68 10-wicket hauls. The 10-wicket hauls is bettered by only four bowlers in the entire history of cricket. This is the story of Wilfred Rhodes, the colossus of English cricket who made Yorkshire one of the best counties in the 20th century.
Rhodes number of wickets might never be broken in history. His haul of 10 wickets is broken only by Alfred Freeman, Charlie Parker, Tom Richardson and Colin Blythe. Out of all the bowlers, only Richardson was a pacer while the rest were slow left-arm orthodox or legbreak bowlers. The longevity of Rhodes and his career is a study in legendary cricketing skills.
Born in October 1877, Wilfred Rhodes made his cricketing debut at the age of 19. Initially, Wilfred Rhodes was not much of a bowler. On a tour to Australia in 1912, he bowled only 18 overs and plied his trade as a batsman. But, when the First World War broke out in 1914, Yorkshire lost many good players. When the war ended, they needed a bowler. It was at that time Rhodes stepped up.
In a tribute in the Guardian, Rhodes’ contribution is summed up. Rhodes made himself into a batsman by practice and hard thinking. He was one of the first batsmen to adopt the full-fronted stance, left shoulder pointing to forward leg. In 1919, he headed the bowling charts with 164 wickets at an average 14.42 in 1048 overs. Rhodes was nearly 42 by the end of that year.
Normally, at that age, any player would have considered retirement. But, Rhodes only got better. His career was helped by an action that did not put too much stress on the body. He was economical in action, a few short strides and then a balanced sideways swing of the body. The arm was loose and it made a lovely arch. He could go on for hours; the rhythm of his action was in its easy rotation. Batsmen of Rhodes’ heyday frequently succumbed to his bait for a catch in the outfield.
Now, in the modern era, almost 91 years after Wilfred Rhodes last played cricket for England, there will be another addition into the club. James Anderson of England, approaching 40, is only eight wickets away from reaching the 1000-wicket milestone in First Class cricket.
Like Yorkshire benefited from Rhodes’ brilliance, Lancashire has been testament to the brilliance of James Anderson. There might be the criticism that Anderson does not perform in conditions outside of his comfort zone. Anderson has utilised cloud cover and green covering on the pitch in such a way that he is the master of such conditions.
Anderson has already pushed the barriers of a pace bowler in the modern era. Not only is he within touching distance of 1000 First Class wickets, he needs only six wickets more to become the third bowler with the most wickets in Tests. Anil Kumble sits on 619 wickets while Anderson is on 614. Should he maintain fitness and consistency, Anderson can very well push the boundaries and reach 700 wickets.
No one ever thought that a pacer would get 600 wickets in Tests. Anderson has defied the odds and made it. Rhodes always pushed the boundaries of the impossible and played until the age of 53. Anderson might not get there. But, Rhodes and Anderson pushed the barriers in different eras. The numbers will always paint Rhodes better. But, in the modern era, Anderson is simply unstoppable.
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