Former England captain unveils tribute plaque for cricket writer John Woodcock

On the centenary of his birth, John Woodcock was honored with a stone plaque at St Nicholas Church in Longparish, Hampshire. Former England captain Michael Atherton unveiled the memorial, noting Woodcock’s reputation as “the finest of all cricket writers” and his 66-year contribution to The Times. Atherton recalled Woodcock’s early tours to Australia by ship and contrasted them with the faster travel of later Ashes assignments, highlighting shifts in journalist-player relations.

The plaque, showing a woodcock bird in flight, was a community initiative sparked by neighbor Brian Sanders, who said Woodcock would have appreciated the modest tribute. Excess funds raised were directed to the youth section of Longparish Cricket Club, extending Woodcock’s legacy to future players. Tributes from figures such as Mike Selvey underscored Woodcock’s impact on the sport’s literary heritage.