PREMIER BATSMAN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 287, 15 September 1933, Page 2

PREMIER BATSMAN.

BRADMAN OR' HAMMOND. VIEWS OF G. L. JESSOP. LONDON, August 29. Emphasising the strain of an Australian tour, G. L. Jessop, in the "Scotsman" points out that last year Sutcliffe was pre-eminent with an average of 74 and a total of 3300 runs. This year, however, he is struggling to get 2000, with an average under 49. Leyland is similarly affected. Hammond must be considered the batsman of the year. Jessop adds: "The Australian claim that Don Bradman is the best batsman in the world may be well founded for fast wickets, but 1 doubt whether on all wickets he is superior to Hammond. "Even on his own pitch Bradman has yet to surpass Hammond, who scored over 900 runs in the test matches of 1928-29.

"In spite of Bradman's moderate scores in the latest test matches, owing to intimidatory bowling, and not to loss of ability, I believe he will be the dominating Australian batsman in 1934. His duel with Hammond will be of absorbing interest." p. R. Jardine's book is still exciting criticism. A reviewer in "John o' London's Weekly" declares that if diplomacy is needed to bring peace, Jardine should be silent. The bleak, militant spirit displayed in the book, may have helped to exacerbate the trouble in Australia.