William Whysall

William Wilfrid Whysall (31 October 1887 – 11 November 1930), generally known as "Dodger" Whysall, was an English professional cricketer who played for Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club from 1910 to 1930, and in four Test matches for England from 1925 to 1930. He was born at Woodborough, Nottinghamshire, and died in a Nottingham hospital.

William Whysall

"Dodger" Whysall in 1926
Personal information
Full name	William Wilfrid Whysall
Born	(1887-10-31)31 October 1887 Woodborough, Nottinghamshire
Died	11 November 1930(1930-11-11) (aged 43) Nottingham
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Right-arm medium
Role	Batsman
International information
National side	England
Only Test (cap 223)	16 January 1925 v Australia
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1910–1930	Nottinghamshire
1923–1929	Players
1926–1927	North
Career statistics
Competition Test First-class Matches 4 371 Runs scored 209 21,592 Batting average 29.85 38.76 100s/50s 0/2 51/103 Top score 76 248 Balls bowled 16 201 Wickets 0 6 Bowling average – 33.33 5 wickets in innings – – 10 wickets in match – – Best bowling 0/9 3/49 Catches/stumpings 7/– 317/15
Source: CricketArchive, 16 November 2022

Whysall was a right-handed opening batsman who played in 371 first-class matches. He scored 21,592 career runs at an average of 38.76 runs per completed innings with a highest score of 248 as one of 51 centuries. Whysall was a noted slip fielder and an [[occasional wicket-keeper. He held 317 career catches and completed 15 stumpings. He rarely bowled but, as a right arm medium pace bowler, he took six first-class wickets with a best return of 3/49.

Career

Early matches

Dodger Whysall is first recorded on 18 June 1908 in a one-day single innings match at Trent Bridge. Aged 20, he was playing for Nottinghamshire Club and Ground against Leicestershire Club and Ground and scored 25*. He played in several matches for Nottinghamshire's Second XI during the next two seasons, most of them in the Minor Counties Championship. Whysall made his first-class debut on 18 August 1910 when he played for Nottinghamshire against Derbyshire in a County Championship match at the Miners Welfare Ground in Blackwell. He opened the batting with George Gunn and they shared a first wicket partnership of 100. Whysall scored 50 on debut and Gunn made 51. Nottinghamshire were all out for 261 and dismissed Derbyshire for 246. In the second innings, Whysall was out for 9 as Nottinghamshire reached 89/3 at close of play on the second day. The third day's play was rained off and the match was drawn.

1920s

After the First World War, Whysall developed into a solid and consistent opener in the increasingly successful Nottinghamshire side. He toured Australia as a member of England's 1924-25 touring party, acting as reserve wicket-keeper and playing in three Test matches. He scored 75 at the Adelaide Oval and 76 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

For his performances in 1924, he was chosen as a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1925.

Whysall was the leading batsman in Nottinghamshire's County Championship-winning team of 1929. He was recalled to the England team for the decisive match of the 1930 series against Australia. The move was not a success. Whysall scored only 13 and 10, and was criticised for his lack of mobility in the field, as England lost by an innings.

Death

Less than three months after his final Test, Whysall slipped on a dance floor and injured his elbow. Septicaemia set in and, despite a blood transfusion, he died in hospital on 11 November 1930.