Vale Len Maddocks (1926-2016)

Aged 90, Mr Maddocks was Australia’s oldest surviving Test cricketer and a member of the Victorian Team of the 20th Century.

The talented batsman/wicketkeeper played seven Tests for Australia between 1954-55 and 1956 and 112 First Class Matches for Victoria and Tasmania. He managed the Australian cricket team on the 1977 tour of England.

Cricket Victoria CEO Tony Dodemaide said Mr Maddocks, who was a past director on the board of the Victorian Cricket Association (VCA), had led a distinguished career on and off the field.

“It was with great sadness that we learned of Len’s passing this week. We offer our heartfelt condolences to the Maddocks family and their friends at this difficult time,” Dodemaide said.

“Len devoted his life to playing and serving Australian cricket and his impact on the game in this state cannot be underestimated. At the completion of his playing career, Len held a variety of key administrative positions at Victorian and national levels and he was committed to the development of our game” Dodemaide added.

Mr Maddocks joined his beloved North Melbourne Cricket Club at the age of 16 and played 237 matches over a period of 30 years until his playing retirement in 1973.

As an administrator, he was a delegate to VCA representing his club from 1970-71 to 1982-83, a VCA Director from 1972-73 to 1982-83 (as Treasurer) and VCA delegate to the ACB Board from 1973-74 until 1982-83. He was also a state and national selector.

Mr Maddocks was farewelled at a private service.