Poser For Cricketers-And For Mathematicians

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28700, 25 September 1958, Page 15

Poser For Cricketers-And For Mathematicians

'A CRICKET problem on which Sir Donald Bradman worked unsuccessfully for a long time before solving it on the journey from England to Australia in 1956 was completed by a Christchurch man, Mr J. McCormick, in four hours—for much of which he was under the impression that an uncompleted over from which no runs were scored was regarded as a maiden. Mr McCormick did not have Sir Donald Bradman’s familiarity with cricket: he has never played the game. The puzzle, produced a quarter of a century ago by Sir Arthur Eddington, is included in Sir Donald Bradman’s latest book, “The Art of Cricket,” which was re-

viewed in “The Press” last week. The puzzler is given a score sheet, bowling analysis, and a collection of facts, as under:

Atkins .. .. 6 Bodkins .. .. 8 Dawkins .. .. 6 Hawkins .. •• 6 Jenkins .. .. 5 Larkins .. .. 4 Meakins .. .. 7 Perkins .. .. 11 Simkins .. .. 6 Tomkins .. .. 0 Wilkins .. .. 1 Extras .. .. 0 Total .. -.60

The. score was composed entirely of fours and singles. There were no catches, no-balls, or short runs. Speedwell and Tosswell each had only one spell of bowling. Pitchwell bowled, the first ball to Atkins. Speedwell was the other opening bowler. Overs were of six balls each. WHOSE WICKETS WERE TAKEN BY SPEEDWELL AND TOSSELL? WHO WAS NOT OUT? WHAT WAS THE SCORE AT THE FALL OF EACH WICKET?

Bowlinf O. M. R. W. Pitchwell .. 12.2 2 14 8 Speedwell .. 8 0 15 1 Tosswell 7 5 31 1