Test Cricket: The Bradman Era 1928-48

 Test Cricket: The Bradman Era

30 November 1928 to 18 August 1948

Don Bradman's 'Invincibles' of 1948.

Team Performances

Australia - 1928 to 1948, Tests Played 60, Won 35, Lost 14, Drawn 11, Success % 67.50

England - 1928 to 1948, Tests Played 105, Won 33, Lost 24, Drawn 48, Success % 54.28

West Indies - 1930 to 1948, Tests Played 23, Won 6, Lost 9, Drawn 8, Success % 43.47

South Africa - 1929 to 1947, Tests Played 37, Won 4, Lost 15, Drawn 18, Success % 35.13

New Zealand - 1930 to 1947, Tests Played 16, Won 0, Lost 6, Drawn 10, Success % 31.25

India - 1932 to 1948, Tests Played 15, Won 0, Lost 10, Drawn 5, Success % 16.66

(Success % = Won 2 points, Drawn 1 point)

Australia’s graph continued to rise during the Bradman years. Pre-World War I, they trailed England. Between the two World Wars, they overtook England by a substantial margin, as the Bradman effect took shape. By the time the Bradman era was over in 1948, Australia had stamped their superiority in no uncertain terms. Their success percentage was 67.50, whereas England lagged behind at 54.28. West Indies were beginning to make their presence felt, and leapfrogged to third place at 43.47. There was little change in the fortunes of South Africa, New Zealand and India, the latter two still unable to win a Test.

In the 11 Test series that Bradman played, Australia lost just two, his first in 1928-29 and the Bodyline series in 1932-33. The Ashes series in 1938 was drawn. Australia won the other eight series, five of them against England. In addition, let us remember that Bradman could not tour South Africa in 1935-36 due to illness, in which Australia won 4-0, with one Test drawn. 

 

Top Batsmen

During the Bradman era, his great rival Wally Hammond scored 6817 runs in 77 Tests and 128 innings at an average of 60.32 with 22 hundreds and 20 fifties.

Don Bradman hit up 6996 runs in 52 Tests and 80 innings at an average of 99.94 with 29 hundreds and 13 fifties.

That was the difference between the greatest and the other greats of Test match batting. No one else aggregated 3000 runs during this period.

The highest averages among those who scored 1000 runs and above during this period were:

Don Bradman (Australia), 1928-48, Tests 52, Innings 80, Not Out 10, Highest Score 334, Runs 6996, Average 99.94, 100s 29, 50s 13.

Arthur Morris (Australia), 1946-48, Tests 14, Innings 22, Not Out 3, Highest Score 196, Runs 1408, Average 74.10, 100s 7, 50s 4.

George Headley (West Indies) 1930-48, Tests 20, Innings 37, Not Out 4, Highest Score 270*, Runs 2171, Average 65.78, 100s 10, 50s 5.

Dennis Compton (England) 1937-48, Tests 27, Innings 45, Not Out 7, Highest Score 208, Runs 2426, Average 63.84, 100s 10, 50s 10.

Sidney Barnes (Australia), 1938-48, Tests 13, Innings 19, Not Out 2, Highest Score 234, Runs 1072, Average 63.05, 100s 3, 50s 5.

Wally Hammond (England) 1928-47, Tests 77, Innings 128, Not Out 15, Highest Score 336*, Runs 6817, Average 60.32, 100s 22, 50s 20.

Eddie Paynter (England) 1931-39, Tests 20, Innings 31, Not Out 5, Highest Score 243, Runs 1540, Average 59.23, 100s 4, 50s 7.

Herbert Sutcliffe (England) 1928-35, Tests 31, Innings 50, Not Out 6, Highest Score 194, Runs 2463, Average 55.97, 100s 9, 50s 12.

Dudley Nourse (South Africa) 1935-47, Tests 19, Innings 35, Not Out 4, Highest Score 231, Runs 1718, Average 55.41, 100s 5, 50s 9.

Len Hutton (England) 1937-48, Tests 32, Innings 57, Not Out 5, Highest Score 364, Runs 2742, Average 52.73, 100s 7, 50s 13.

Bill Ponsford (Australia), 1928-34, Tests 22, Innings 35, Not Out 4, Highest Score 266, Runs 1617, Average 52.16, 100s 5, 50s 5.

Patsy Hendren (England) 1928-35, Tests 28, Innings 49, Not Out 4, Highest Score 205*, Runs 2277, Average 50.60, 100s 4, 50s 13.

Obviously, no one comes even remotely close to Don Bradman’s average of 99.94. The Australian left-handed opener Arthur Morris is second at 74.10. No wonder The Don close him in his all-time team. But the sample size is small at 14 Tests and 1408 runs. In his entire career upto 1955, Morris played 46 Tests, and scored 3533 runs at an average of 46.48. There is not much difference in the career averages of the other players, though Denis Compton dropped from an average of 63.84 in the Bradman years to 50.06 in his entire career of 78 Tests for 5807 runs till 1957.

It would be fair to say that in comparison with Bradman’s average of nearly 100, the next best averaged around 60.

Less than 1000 runs but above 500 runs with average of 50 and more:

KS Duleepsinhji (England) 1929-31, Tests 12, Innings 19, Not Out 2, Highest Score 173, Runs 995, Average 58.52, 100s 3, 50s 5.

Alan Melville (South Africa), 1938-47, Tests 10, Innings 17, Not Out 2, Highest Score 189, Runs 855, Average 57.00, 100s 4, 50s 3.

Cyril Walters (England) 1933-34, Tests 11, Innings 18, Not Out 3, Highest Score 102, Runs 784, Average 52.26, 100 1, 50s 7.

CS ‘Stewie’ Dempster (New Zealand) 1930-33, Tests 10, Innings 15, Not Out 4, Highest Score 136, Runs 723, Average 65.72, 100s 2, 50s 5.

Andy Sandham (England) 1930, Tests 4, Innings 8, Not Out -, Highest Score 325, Runs 592, Average 74.00, 100s 2, 50s 2.

Highest Scores:

Len Hutton, 364, England v Australia, The Oval, London, 1938

Wally Hammond, 336*, England v New Zealand, Auckland, 1932-33

Don Bradman, 334, Australia v England, Leeds, 1930

Andy Sandham, 325, England v West Indies, Kingston, 1929-30

Don Bradman, 304, Australia v England, Leeds, 1934

Don Bradman, 299*, Australia v South Africa, Adelaide, 1931-32

George Headley, 270*, West Indies v England, Kingston, 1934-35

Don Bradman, 270, Australia v England, Melbourne, 1936-37

Bill Ponsford, 266, Australia v England, The Oval, London, 1934 

Don Bradman, 254, Australia v England, Lord’s, London, 1930

Wally Hammond, 251, England v Australia, Sydney, 1928-29

England’s Andy Sandham scored the first triple-century in Test cricket in April 1930, 325 against the West Indies at Kingston. Three months later, Don Bradman took the record away, becoming the only batsman to hit up a Test triple-century in a day, eventually finishing on 334 at Leeds. After the Bodyline series in 1932-33, England travelled to New Zealand, Wally Hammond scoring 336 not out at Auckland. Five years later, Len Hutton logged up 364 at The Oval. The record stood for well-nigh two decades until Gary Sobers broke it.

In the Bradman era, of the 11 scores of 250 and above, The Don knocked up five, including two triple centuries and an unbeaten 299. A total of 35 double and triple centuries were scored during this time, of which Bradman had 12 to his name. Hammond was next with 7, and George Headley and Eddie Paynter 2 each. Twelve others had one score of 200 or more.

The full Test career records of the top batsmen of this era, according to their averages, are:

Don Bradman, span 1928-48, Tests 52, Highest Score 334, Runs 6996, Average 99.94, Hundreds 29, Fifties 13

Sidney Barnes, span 1938-48, Tests 13, Highest Score 234, Runs 1072, Average 63.05, Hundreds 3, Fifties 5

George Headley, span 1930-54, Tests 22, Highest Score 270*, Runs 2190, Average 60.83, Hundreds 10, Fifties 5

Herbert Sutcliffe, span 1924-1935, Tests 54, Highest Score 194, Runs 4555, Average 60.73, Hundreds 16, Fifties 23

Eddie Paynter, span 1931-39, Tests 20, Highest Score 243, Runs 1540, Average 59.23, Hundreds 4, Fifties 7

Wally Hammond, span 1927-47, Tests 85, Highest Score 336*, Runs 7249, Average 58.45, Hundreds 22, Fifties 24

Len Hutton, span 1937-55, Tests 79, Highest Score 364, Runs 6971, Average 56.67, Hundreds 19, Fifties 33

Dudley Nourse, 1935-51, Tests 34, Highest Score 231, Runs 2960, Average 53.81, Hundreds 9, Fifties 14

Denis Compton, span 1937-57, Tests 78, Highest Score 278, Runs 5807, Average 50.06, Hundreds 17, Fifties 28

Bruce Mitchell, 1929-49, Tests 42, Highest Score 189*, Runs 3471, Average 48.88, Hundreds 8, Fifties 21

Bill Ponsford, span 1924-34, Tests 29, Highest Score 266, Runs 2122, Average 48.22, Hundreds 7, Fifties 6

Stan McCabe, 1930-38, Tests 39, Highest Score 232, Runs 2748, Average 48.21, Hundreds 6, Fifties 13

Patsy Hendren, span 1920-35, Tests 51, Highest Score 205*, Runs 3525, Average 47.63, Hundreds 7, Fifties 21

Arthur Morris, span 1946-55, Tests 46, Highest Score 206, Runs 3533, Average 46.48, Hundreds 12, Fifties 12

Maurice Leyland, 1928-38, Tests 41, Highest Score 187, Runs 2764, Average 46.06, Hundreds 9, Fifties 10

Leslie Ames, 1929-39, Tests 47, Highest Score 149, Runs 2434, Average 40.56, Hundreds 8, Fifties 7

There is no doubt that the period 1928 to 1948, interrupted by the Second World War, was the Bradman era

The phenomenon of Don Bradman before the Bodyline series, and his dominance of the South Africans in 1931-32. Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh's book 'Don's Century'

It may not have been an auspicious beginning to the 1931-32 season, as Bradman was dismissed for a duck against Queensland. That, as usual, was an aberration for which the bowlers paid dearly. In an exhibition match to inaugurate an experimental malthoid pitch at Blackheath, about 100 kilometres west of Sydney, on 3rd November 1931, Bradman smashed a hundred off 22 deliveries in 3 eight-ball overs. Representing a Blackheath Invitation XI, Bradman roughed up the bowlers of Lithgow Pottery in an astonishing hitting spree. In the first over he crashed 33 runs (6.6.4.2.4.4.6.1); in the second he hammered 40 (6.4.4.6.6.4.6.4); in the third his partner Bill Wendell took a single off the first ball, then Bradman clouted 6.6.1, Wendell took a single off the next, before Don blasted 4.4.6. It was exactly a hundred. He went on to score 256 in two-and-a-half hours with 25 fours and 14 sixes. This was not a first-class match, but those who had been treated to the Bradman magic did not care.

The South Africans were touring this season and Bradman had something special in store for them. Woolloongabba, or the Gabba as it is popularly known, was staging its inaugural Test and the irrepressible Bradman celebrated the occasion in style. He was unbeaten on 200 at close on the first day. During the course of this 22nd innings of his 15th Test, he passed 2000 runs. Australia were 341 for six. He had put on 163 for the second wicket with Woodfull (76) and 81 for the fourth with McCabe (27). Next morning when his seventh-wicket partnership with Oldfield (56 not out) was worth 60, Bradman was trapped leg-before for 226. He had been in for 277 minutes and hit 22 boundaries. Australia totalled 450, and there was a sense of déjà vu as the woes of -the West Indies in the previous season began to be replicated by the South Africans now. They were beaten by an innings and 163 runs, being bowled out for 170 and 117. 

Batting first in the Sydney Test, they fared no better, dismissed for 153. This time Keith Rigg, playing his second Test for Australia, was given the opportunity to bat at no. 3. The Victorian grabbed it with both hands, recording his only Test century, and adding 137 for the second wicket with Woodfull. Bradman joined Rigg on the second day, and they put on 111 for the third wicket. Rigg scored a well-compiled 127. McCabe now joined Bradman, and their stand was worth 93 when The Don was dismissed for a belligerent 112. He had batted for 155 minutes and hit 10 boundaries. This time Australia made 469. South Africa folded up for 161. The margin of defeat was an innings and 155 runs.

It appeared that there was a reversal of fortune, and performance, in the third Test at Melbourne, but the South Africans only flattered to deceive. They got rid of Australia for only 198 runs, with Bradman suffering his only failure of the series, caught behind by skipper Jock Cameron off Neville Quinn for 2. South Africa then put up a brave fight with Kenneth Viljoen scoring a resilient century. His 104-run eighth wicket stand with Quintin McMillan appeared to have taken the game away from Australia, as they took a first innings lead of 160 runs.

It was not to be. After he had helped Ponsford raise a half-century first up, Woodfull, as was his wont, dropped anchor. And, just as usual, Bradman took charge. By stumps on the third day, Australia were 206 for one, with Woodfull on 73, and Bradman on the verge of his 11^th Test hundred, at 97 not out. He was relentless even after completing his century. The second-wicket partnership was worth 274 when Bradman fell for 167. He had batted for just over three hours and hit 18 fours. After Woodfull’s five-hour vigil encompassing 161 runs and five boundaries ended, Kippax and McCabe put Australia further ahead. They were finally all out for 554, setting South Africa a target of 395 runs. The task was way beyond the capabilities of the tourists. They did manage to stretch the Test to the sixth day even as Grimmett got among the wickets. He finished with six for 92, while Ironmonger took the other four. South Africa folded up for 225, and Australia wrapped up the series.

The South Africans did take some confidence into the next Test at Adelaide. Bill O’Reilly was now back in tandem with Grimmett, but the visitors batted well right through the order, led by Bruce Mitchell and Herbie Taylor. Grimmett bagged seven for 116 as South Africa totalled 308. Woodfull was again Bradman’s ally after Ponsford fell with only 9 runs on the board. This time they put on 176. Then it was Bradman all the way. He cantered to his hundred. Kippax and McCabe failed but Rigg hung around while Bradman blazed away. Rigg contributed 35 to a partnership of 114. The Don reached his double century, and was aided by Oldfield, Grimmett and O’Reilly. When the last man, debutant Pud Thurlow joined him, Bradman was closing in on his triple ton. This time he was to be denied. While Bradman was scampering for his 300th run, Thurlow was run out. Australia were all out for 513. Bradman had batted almost through the innings for his unbeaten 299 in six hours and thirty-six minutes, having hit 23 fours.

Yet again Bradman had taken the game away from the bewildered South Africans. He had simply pulverized them through the series. “Every ball is for me the first ball, whether my score is 0 or 200, and I never visualise the possibility of someone getting me out,” was how The Don once described his mindset. Even though Mitchell and Taylor fought valiantly again, it was Grimmett who stole the show with another seven-wicket haul. His match figures were fourteen for 199, the first time since the First World War that a bowler had captured so many wickets in a Test. Only 70 runs were required for a win, which Woodfull and Ponsford hit off without much difficulty.

With rain intervening, and the South Africans a demoralised lot, the final Test at Melbourne produced the lowest-ever aggregate for a completed Test match. South Africa were shot out for 36 and 45, and Grimmett was not required to bowl in either innings. In between Australia were dismissed for 153, with Bradman unable to bat through injury. Ironmonger this time picked up eleven wickets for 24 runs.

Bradman had hit hundreds - two centuries and two double-centuries - in each of the four Tests that he batted. Geoffrey Tebbutt said of his style: “Do not assume that young Don is a batsman without delicacy of touch. I have seen him score many hundreds, in his many thousands of runs, by strokes of a delicacy which a billiardist might envy.” He aggregated 806 runs at an average of 201.50, best-ever in a five-Test series. The next best on either side was Woodfull with 421 runs at 70.16 per innings and one hundred, and he batted in all five Tests. The only other centurions were Rigg and Viljoen, who also got one each. That was the extent of Bradman’s dominance. At the time this was the third-highest aggregate in a Test series after his own 974 in 1930 and Hammond’s 905 in 1928-29. Grimmett and Ironmonger took 64 wickets between them.

In ten first-class matches of this season, Bradman scored 1403 runs at an average of 116.91 with 7 three-figure knocks. His Test record at this juncture, before the Bodyline series, stood at 19 matches, 2695 runs at an average of 112.29, 6 hundreds, 5 double hundreds and a triple hundred. Complementing these mesmerising statistics were the record knocks in first-class as well as Test cricket. Such was the phenomenon of Bradman. The cricket world was aghast, and it was now up to the English, who were touring the next season, to devise a strategy to contain him.

(Author Indra Vikram Singh can be contacted on email singh_iv@hotmail.com).

Don’s Century 

Published in India by Sporting Links 

ISBN 978-81-901668-5-0 

Fully illustrated 

Paperback French Fold 

11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches 

Weight 480 grams 

188 pages

 

Available on Amazon at an attractive price: https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166859 

Indra Vikram Singh's other books available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.in/s?k=Indra+Vikram+Singh&i=stripbooks&rh=p_6%3AA3HSV0N9AV7NOK&dc&qid=1602408830&rnid=131474031&ref=sr_nr_p_6_1

The 1930-31 series, the only time Don Bradman and George Headley came face-to-face in the Test arena. Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s book ‘Don’s Century’

The West Indies toured Australia in the 1930-31 season, and for the only time in his Test career Bradman came face to face with George Headley, who came to be known as the black Bradman. 

Curiously, neither did well in the first two Tests, which Australia won easily. In the opening Test at Adelaide, Bradman needed 26 runs to complete 1000 runs in 1930. He was out for 4. On 1^st January 1931 he scored 25 in the second Test at Sydney, but it was a day too late.

The two maestros reserved their best for the third encounter at the Exhibition Ground in Brisbane. After Jackson had been dismissed for a duck, Ponsford and Bradman put on 229 for the second wicket. Both registered hundreds, and even after Ponsford departed for 109, there was no respite for the tourists. Kippax allied with Bradman in another double century stand. The partnership was worth 203 when Kippax left for 84. Bradman had gone past 200. At close of play on Day One, Australia were 428 for three, with Bradman on 223. He was out next morning without adding to his score, having been at the crease for less than five hours and hit 24 boundaries. The eventual total was 558. Headley’s riposte was an unbeaten 102, as the West Indies were bowled out for 193. Following on, they crumbled for 148, unable to cope with Clarrie Grimmett’s leg-spin.

The disasters continued for the visitors at Melbourne. They were shot out for 99 in 50 overs with Bert Ironmonger grabbing seven for 23 in 20 overs. This time Bradman was partnered by Woodfull in a second-wicket stand of 156. The Don scored 152 at almost at a-run-a-minute, and Woodfull decided that 328 runs were enough, declaring with eight wickets down. Indeed they were, as the West Indies were skittled out on that very second day for 107, with Ironmonger completing a match haul of eleven for 79.

The West Indies, in their maiden series against Australia, were completely outclassed in the first four Tests, annihilated by 10 wickets to begin with, and then by an innings thrice in a row, the run deficits still being 172, 217 and 122. Quite clearly, the only real contests in Test cricket still were those for the Ashes.

Having said that, the men from the sunny Caribbean islands fought back in the final Test, with Headley scoring a fine century, as also did opener Frank Martin. With the weather playing a part and the West Indies skipper Jackie Grant making opportune declarations. Australia were beaten by 30 runs. Bradman registered his first duck in Test cricket.

Ponsford 467 runs (average 77.83) and Bradman 447 runs (average 74.50) were the outstanding batsmen in the series. No one else averaged fifty.

The series, however, ended on a poignant note as well. The brilliant young Archie Jackson, who was rated as high as Bradman - some said he was even more talented - appeared for Australia for the last time in the fourth Test. He was diagnosed with tuberculosis, which in those days, and for decades after, was a deadly disease. At just 19 years of age and having had the opportunity to play only eight times at the highest level, destiny had dealt him a cruel blow.

(Author Indra Vikram Singh can be contacted on email singh_iv@hotmail.com).

Don’s Century 

Published in India by Sporting Links 

ISBN 978-81-901668-5-0 

Fully illustrated 

Paperback French Fold 

11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches 

Weight 480 grams 

188 pages 

Available on Amazon at an attractive price: https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166859

 Indra Vikram Singh's other books available on Amazon: 

https://www.amazon.in/s?k=Indra+Vikram+Singh&i=stripbooks&rh=p_6%3AA3HSV0N9AV7NOK&dc&qid=1602408830&rnid=1318474031&ref=sr_nr_p_6_1 

Don Bradman’s superb double century in the final Test clinched the Ashes 1930 series for Australia. Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh's book 'Don's Century'

Don Bradman acknowledging the cheers of the crowd on reaching his double century in the final Test at The Oval in 1930. With the series tied 1-1, Bradman’s superb 232 turned this Test in Australia’s favour, a decisive role in regaining the Ashes

With the 1930 series tied 1-1 before the fifth Test at The Oval, it was a game without limit. Bob Wyatt was England captain in place of Percy Chapman, who in the face of Don Bradman’s onslaught was now viewed as prodigal, if not primeval. Sutcliffe dropped anchor, scoring 161 and England logged up a total of 405 in this battle of nerves.

The old firm of Bill Woodfull and Bill Ponsford raised 159 upfront, and it was the latter who was dismissed first after scoring a fine 110. Bradman joined the stonewaller Woodfull, who left after tallying a patient 54 in three-and-a-quarter hours. Bradman was unbeaten with 27 at stumps, with Alan Kippax keeping him company.

Rain now played a part, but Bradman was steadfast on the tricky wet track. Douglas Jardine was a bystander in the series but he reckoned that he saw flaws in Bradman’s game against fast bowling on the damp wicket. At the end of the curtailed third day, Bradman was nevertheless still at the crease with 130 runs to his name, with Archie Jackson by his side. The only wicket lost was that of Kippax, and Australia were just two runs behind.

Bradman stroked his way to a double century and with Jackson put on 243 for the fourth wicket before the talented youngster fell for 73. Stan McCabe helped Bradman add another 64 runs. Australia were 165 ahead when Bradman finally edged Harold Larwood into George Duckworth’s gloves. His 232 had come off 417 balls in 438 minutes, aided by 16 boundaries.

It was a match-winning knock played at a crucial juncture in testing conditions, and it put Australia in the driver’s seat in their quest to reclaim the Ashes. If his breathtaking 254 at Lord’s was instrumental in levelling the series, Bradman’s dominant 232 at London’s other ground clinched it for Australia. McCabe, Alan Fairfax and Bert Oldfield kept up the momentum, the lead mounting to 290. Ian Peebles was rewarded for his 71 overs of toil with a haul of six for 204.

Fairfax bowled Jack Hobbs before stumps and England were pushed against the wall at 24 for one. Rain washed out the fifth day’s play. When the game resumed, England could not forge any partnership of real significance. Percival Hornibrook captured seven of the eight wickets that fell to bowlers on the final day. Wally Hammond was last out for 60 as England folded up for 251. The significance could not have been lost on anyone as the mantle of the best batsman in the world passed on to the superstar from Down Under, Don Bradman.

It was a momentous tour. Having played a pivotal role in winning the Ashes, Bradman scored an unprecedented 974 runs in the series, still unequalled to this day, at an average of 139.14. He got all these runs at 40 an hour without hitting a six. Rarely did Bradman loft the ball. Some felt that this aggregate was the equivalent of Sydney Barnes’ feat of 49 wickets in four Tests against South Africa in 1913-14, but against better opposition. No other batsman from either side got even half of Bradman’s tally, nor even more than one hundred.

Mammoth scores kept coming repeatedly from his willow like giant waves slapping the shore – a century, two double centuries and a triple century. The double hundreds decided the series. Without doubt the English would need to introspect deeply. C.B. Fry, himself a man of many parts and incredibly talented, was enchanted with Bradman’s display: “I wish I could have used my bat like Don. He is a gem of a batsman. I just love his finished technique and inevitable surety.”

As much as the runs that he scored, Bradman filled the counties’ coffers as never before. Jon Stock related a tale, perhaps apocryphal, in The Week: “Don was the bane of every bowler’s life, but he was also a commercial opportunity. Dai Davies, a Glamorgan player, recalls how he once came close to bowling Bradman in 1930. He was flabbergasted when instead of encouraging him, his captain Maurice Turnbull told Davies that his services wouldn’t be required that day. ‘But I’ll get him out the next over,’ Davies pleaded. ‘That’s what we don’t want,’ Turnbull replied. ‘Can’t you see, we’ve got to keep him in for Monday (the August bank holiday)?’ Glamorgan made a small profit at the end of that year thanks entirely to that game’s proceeds.”

By the final Test, his ninth, Bradman had reached an average of 100, and had as many as six three-figure knocks. His aggregate now stood at 1442 runs, the average 103. In all first-class matches during that tour of 1930, Bradman hit up 2960 runs, the most any visiting batsman has done, and notched up 10 hundreds. He topped the averages among all batsmen during that season at 98.66, which he did on all his tours to England.

If anybody had lingering doubts about Bradman’s ability to cope with English conditions, they had been dispelled in the most vehement manner possible. From now on batting had only one don, perhaps forever. That Wisden selected Bradman as one of its cricketers of the year in its 1931 edition is only stating the obvious. A most telling comment came from the great allrounder Wilfred Rhodes, a shrewd judge of the game, and not one to shower praise lightly: “I bowled against all the best from 1900 to 1930 - Hobbs, Trumper, Grace and Ranji among them and many, many more - but Bradman was the greatest.”          

Ian Peebles, who bowled to Bradman during this series, wrote in the World of Cricket: “It was not until the series got underway that the cricket world gradually realised that this young man Bradman had inaugurated a new era and somewhat reinterpreted the old adage that ‘bowlers win matches’. Never before had an individual batsman so consistently given bowlers the opportunity of winning matches by the speed and extent of his scoring.”

Financially, the tour brought Bradman a bonanza. In addition to the ₤ 600 paid by The Board of Control for the six-month effort, which was easily double an average annual wage at the time, and the reward of ₤ 1000 bestowed on him by Arthur Whitelaw, was the contract for his first book Don Bradman’s Book of Cricket and its serialisation in the press. Bradman’s earnings came to a whopping ₤ 5000.

Don Bradman was now a folk hero in Australia, and he began receiving several offers for commercial endorsements. ‘Bradmania’ had besieged the minds of his countrymen. Whenever word spread that Bradman was at Mick Simmons, huge crowds would congregate outside. It was not long before a musical tribute was paid to him. ‘Our Don Bradman’ was an affectionate tune that became popular in the 1930s. Described as a ‘snappy fox trot song’, it hailed ‘Australia’s batting phenomenon’. Deft pianist that he was, Bradman himself composed a song ‘Every Day is a Rainbow Day for Me’.

(Author Indra Vikram Singh can be contacted on email singh_iv@hotmail.com).

Don’s Century 

Published in India by Sporting Links 

ISBN 978-81-901668-5-0 

Fully illustrated 

Paperback French Fold 

11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches 

Weight 480 grams 

188 pages 

Available on Amazon at an attractive price: https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166859

Indra Vikram Singh's other books available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.in/s?k=Indra+Vikram+Singh&i=stripbooks&rh=p_6%3AA3HSV0N9AV7NOK&dc&qid=1602408830&rnid=1318474031&ref=sr_nr_p_6_1 

Bradman’s finest innings, double century in the Lord’s Test of 1930. Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s book ‘Don’s Century’

Bradman's finest innings. The Don considered his brilliant 254 at Lord’s in 1930 as his best, a flawless exhibition in the second Test that levelled the series 1-1.

There was much delight and nostalgia at Lord’s when two of first-class cricket’s biggest run-getters, Jack Hobbs and Frank Woolley, walked out together to open the batting for England in the absence of Herbert Sutcliffe, who had sustained an injury in the first Test. Thanks to Duleepsinhji’s superb 173 on first appearance against Australia, the hosts ran up a total of 425. Woodfull and Ponsford were sailing along, having raised 162.

Ponsford then seemed to lose focus, having just greeted King George V, who was visiting the ground. What followed was a Bradman gem. Woodfull was solid as ever but Bradman was in a different plane, smashing the English bowling in a stunning display over two-and-a-half hours that afternoon. The partnership realised 231 runs, and by close of play Australia were 404 for two, with Bradman on 155.

Kippax then featured in a stand of 192, and by the time Bradman made his first and last mistake, Australia had already taken a lead of 160. He had made a magnificent 254, having been at the crease for 341 minutes and stroked 25 boundaries in his 376-ball sojourn. Australia declared at 729 for six. The world now acknowledged the arrival of the run-getting phenomenon.

It was an innings that Bradman himself rated as his best. Every shot except one, he reminisced, went exactly where he intended, even the stroke that got him out. While making that last hit Bradman just overlooked that Percy Chapman, who took the catch, was a very tall man, and he also regarded it as one of the best catches he had ever seen.

Bradman is quoted in the Jack Bannister-compiled The Innings of My Life as saying, “It was my first innings in a Test at Lord’s, recognised as the home of cricket, and there was understandably a great deal of pressure on me. I have picked this innings because, though I played more valuable and important innings, I never played one so technically perfect. There was only one delivery I didn’t hit where I wanted (when on 191), and even that went along the ground to second slip.”

In an interview with Mike Popham of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) television for the 200th anniversary of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in 1987, Bradman reiterated that this was indeed the best innings he ever played in any class of cricket. He spoke about the atmosphere at Lord’s: “Like every young boy I was anxious to play at Lord’s, to have my first look at the ground. It has an atmosphere about it no other ground possesses. It’s not the best pitch, it’s not the best playing field, but it has this atmosphere. You can’t see it, you can’t touch it, but you can feel it. I think it’s got a great influence on the way you perform. You have to walk through the Long Room. You’re a part of history walking out there to bat, and I think that helps to inspire you to give a good performance.”

In the second innings, needing just 72 runs to win, he fell for 1, to another brilliant catch by Chapman, the bowler being Tate for the fourth time in Bradman’s young career. Australia won by seven wickets, the series pegged at 1-1.

“This was one of the great Test matches of history,” Bradman continued in the BBC interview, “it finished within four days. There were just over 1600 runs made off a rate of bowling which averaged roughly 130 overs a day.”

(Author Indra Vikram Singh can be contacted on email singh_iv@hotmail.com).

Don’s Century

Published in India by Sporting Links

ISBN 978-81-901668-5-0

Fully illustrated

Paperback French Fold 11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches

Weight 480 grams

188 pages

Available on Amazon at an attractive price: https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166859  

Indra Vikram Singh's other books available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.in/s?k=Indra+Vikram+Singh&i=stripbooks&rh=p_6%3AA3HSV0N9AV7NOK&dc&qid=1602408830&rnid=1318474031&ref=sr_nr_p_6_1

K.S. Duleepsinhji’s views on Bradman. Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s book ‘Don’s Century’

K.S. Duleepsinhji, Don Bradman and Lala Amarnath during India's tour of Australia in 19478-48

There were no Test matches in Australia during the next season of 1929-30, though Arthur Gilligan’s M.C.C. side stopped by to play a few first-class matches en-route to New Zealand for the inaugural Test series there.

Totally focused on the first-class game, Bradman broke Bill Ponsford’s world record score of 437 made two seasons earlier. He hit up 452 in just 415 minutes, having struck 49 boundaries, for New South Wales against Queensland at Sydney. 

In 78 years since then, this score has been passed only twice, by Hanif Mohammad, who was run out for 499 in 1958-59, and Brian Lara, who was undefeated with 501 in 1994. Bradman amassed 1586 runs during that 1929-30 season at an average of 113.28 with 5 centuries in just 11 matches.

K.S. Duleepsinhji was in Gilligan’s team and, along with his teammates was constantly accosted for his opinion on this new star, Don Bradman.

Nearly a quarter century later, Duleepsinhji wrote in the Indian Cricketer Annual: “We of the 1929-30 touring team, most of us not much older than Bradman himself, believed that Bradman was not likely to do well on the wet wickets of England owing to his tendency to play with a slightly crooked bat at the time of impact with the ball, besides his fondness for gliding a ball off the leg-stump to fine-leg and driving the ball pitched almost on the middle-stump past mid-on. We considered that these strokes would prove fatal. In judging Bradman’s prospects in England, we did not reckon with the immaturity of our youthful judgement, the genius of Bradman and the practice of covering wickets in county matches during Australian tours for financial reasons. We had no doubt that Bradman would make centuries in Test cricket, but I must confess that in 1929 I was not prepared for his incredible successes and triumphs over twenty years during which he was easily the most dominating personality in the game.”

(Author Indra Vikram Singh can be contacted on email singh_iv@hotmail.com).

Don’s Century

Published in India by Sporting Links

ISBN 978-81-901668-5-0

Fully illustrated

Paperback French Fold 11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches

Weight 480 grams

188 pages

Available on Amazon at an attractive price: https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166859  

Indra Vikram Singh's other books available on Amazon: 

https://www.amazon.in/s?k=Indra+Vikram+Singh&i=stripbooks&rh=p_6%3AA3HSV0N9AV7NOK&dc&qid=1602408830&rnid=1318474031&ref=sr_nr_p_6_1

Don Bradman’s first Test century and the saga of timeless Tests. Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s book ‘Don’s Century’

 

It was a disastrous Test debut for Don Bradman. England piled up 521, with Patsy Hendren hitting 169. Bradman walked in at no. 7, with Australia in deep trouble at 71 for five. Maurice Tate trapped him leg-before-wicket for 18. Harold Larwood snapped up six wickets for 32 runs, as Australia folded up for 122. Bradman fared worse in the second innings, dismissed for 1. Australia were humiliated, bowled out for 66 and beaten by 675 runs, the biggest margin in history. Very quickly had Bradman learnt what a tough life it is at the Test level. He was dropped from the playing eleven in the second Test.

Having to carry the drinks as 12^th man at the exquisite Sydney Cricket Ground must have rankled the aspiring batsman. Wally Hammond pulverized the Aussies with his 251 after Bill Ponsford had his left hand fractured by a nasty one from Larwood. Australia lost again, this time by eight wickets. The bitter experience, instead of demoralising Bradman, only strengthened his resolve. He was determined to make his mark. He did very soon, and this was the only time that he was ever dropped from the team. Picked for the third Test to replace the injured Ponsford, Bradman never looked back thereafter.

After the early damage caused by Larwood and Tate, Alan Kippax and skipper Jack Ryder put on 161 for the fourth wicket. Bradman consolidated the position with two useful stands with Ryder and Edward a’Beckett, scoring 79. But Hammond was awesome, bringing up his second successive Test double century, a round 200. After wiping out a first-innings deficit of 20 runs, Australia again battled hard. Bradman joined Bill Woodfull with four wickets down for 143, and helped the ever-determined opener carry the score to 201. Woodfull scored 107, and then Bradman staged a wonderful rearguard action, adding 93 for the eighth wicket with Ronald Oxenham. On the way young Don brought up his maiden Test hundred.

The crowd at the historic MCG hailed the coming of a new hero, giving him a standing ovation. All of Australia was agog. As Ken Piesse wrote in The Cricketer International: “Hats were thrown in the air, women waved their handkerchiefs and umbrellas. Motor cars hooted, tram bells clanged and passengers cheered and clapped.” Bradman was eventually caught behind for 112. He was in for six minutes over four hours and faced 281 balls, striking 7 fours. Cricket’s most famous saga had begun.

England needed 332 to win, and got them with three wickets to spare on the seventh day. Even today there is a misconception in some quarters about timeless Tests. It is believed that there is only one instance of a timeless Test ever played - the final game between South Africa and England at Durban in 1938-39. That, in fact, is the longest Test ever played, spread over eleven days, with nine days of actual play. As is well known, it was abandoned as a draw since the English team had to catch the ship leaving for home. Up to the Second World War, Test matches in Australia were timeless, after which a six-day limit was imposed. In England, Test matches were initially of three-day duration, but from 1912 onwards there was a provision that should a series be undecided at the commencement of the final Test, then that Test would be played to a finish. From 1930, Test matches in England were extended to four days, with the stipulation of a final deciding Test being timeless still in place. From 1948 onwards, duration of Tests in England were extended, and limited, to five days.

(Author Indra Vikram Singh can be contacted on email singh_iv@hotmail.com).

Don’s Century

Published in India by Sporting Links

ISBN 978-81-901668-5-0

Fully illustrated

Paperback French Fold 11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches

Weight 480 grams

188 pages

Available on Amazon at an attractive price: https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166859  

Indra Vikram Singh's other books available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.in/s?k=Indra+Vikram+Singh&i=stripbooks&rh=p_6%3AA3HSV0N9AV7NOK&dc&qid=1602408830&rnid=1318474031&ref=sr_nr_p_6_1