BRADMAN SUPREME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 113, 16 May 1938, Page 15

BRADMAN SUPREME.

AUSTRALIA 428 FOR 5.! CONSISTENCY OF HASSETT. M.C.C. FAST ATTACK FAILS. LONDON, May 13. The match between the Australian cricketers and an M.C.C. eleven was commenced at the Lord's ground on Saturday in dull weather. The Australians, who won the toss, batted first, and at stumps had compiled 428 for five wickets. The feature was a brilliant display by I), (i. Bradman, the Australian captain, who was undefeated with 257 to his credit. The wicket was damp wl'.on play commenced and the bowlers" footprints showed up plainly after the first few deliveries. Drizzling rain marred the ph'.y at intervals. There was an attendance of 30,000. Facing what England considers to be about the best speed attack that can bo mustered, Bradman flogged the three fast men unmercifully, and scored his second double century of the tour to date. He still remains uneouquered and again proved England's bogy man. His heavy score was compiled in spite of an injury received early in his innings. Ho received a painful blow on one of his loos, which compelled him to stop running singles and twos and to concentrate for a time on boundaries. Fingleton and Brown, who opened for Australia, allowed many fast deliveries from Smith to pass harmlessly. Brown again crashed, being badly beaten by Fames in his fourth over. Timely Advertisement! Bradman, with his score at live, made a lusty swing at a full toss from Stephenson and missed. When Bradman was struck on one of his toes there was an appeal for leg-bet'ore, and simultaneously an aeroplane Hew overhead towing an advertisement for a foot ointment. The Australian champion commenced to turn on the "fireworks," hooking, driving and glancing prettily. He eased up after his score had reached 70. Fingleton was uncomfortable when facing Robins. With the score at 149 for one wicket. Smith reappeared and got Fingleton in his first over. McC'abe went for the bowling and hit two sixes in the course of a merry innings. He was yorked by Smith with the total at 217.

Badcock wa.s unable to get going againet the fast bowlers, and Steplienson thoroughly deserved his wicket when he clean bowled tho Australian. Young Victorian Acclaimed. Hassett, who received an ovation on {joins: to the wicket, was wi-ll up to his recent good standard had hit centuries in three successive innings) and was soon exercising his nimble feet. Rain delayed play for 10 minutes at 4.50 p.m. and on resuming liradinan took 10 runs off one over from Smith. The 300 appeared in '2-io minutes and Bradman's double century was posted utter lie had been at the crease for -65 minute.--. Hassett and Bradman continued to puui.sh the bowling alter the tea adjournment, boundaries coming frequently in spite of excellent fielding. Both batsmen timed their shots perfectly. Hassett twice in succession drove Compton, shattering the wicket at the bowler's end on each occasion. The 400 mark was reached after 330 minutes' batting. Hassett. after making r>7. was caught at the wicket 10 minutes before .stumps were drawn. Ho hit seven fours. Bradman .s score included 3"2 fours. Scores:—■ AUSTRALIA.—First Inning*. Finglcton, b Smith 44 Brown, b Fames "• Bradman. not out 257 MeCabo, b Smith 33 Badeock, 1) Stoj liensou '. 14 Hassett, c Maxwell, b Compton .... i>7 Waite. not out 4 Extras H Total for five wickets 428

Brnrlman has already amassed 710 runs in four innings (one uncompleted). He requires only 200 to reach the 1000 mark by the end of May—which would add another to his amazing list of records. No player in cricket history ever scored 1000 runs more than once as early as that in the season, the select list comprising: — \V. (!. Grace 189. J. made WIO runs between May J) and 30. average 112.88; VV. K. Hammond (Gloucestershire). 1927. made 102S between May 7 and 28. average 70.07; ('. Hallows (Lancashire). 1928. made exactly 1000 between May 5 and 31. average 12.T: D. O. Bradman (Australia I. 1030. made 1001 between April 30 and May 31. average 143. His first innings was on April 30, when he scored 75 not out. T. Hayward (Surrey), with one match in April had hit up 1074 runs by May 31, 1000. his average being 97.03. A. L. Hassett has compiled 614 runs since reaching England. C. L. Badcock 460 and J. TT. Fingletou 354.