A BATTING WIZARD

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 198, 19 May 1936, Page 16

A BATTING WIZARD

Don Bradman’s Records (By “Burwood.") Although he has not been in the limelight of Test match cricket this year, Don Bradman has done some remarkable batting in Australia. In fact, he has made so many runs that if he had 140 more innings and didn’t score another ruu lie would still have an average of 50 runs per innings in first-class cricket—that is, if he were permitted to stay in first-class cricket to establish a string of 140 "ducks.” The world’s wonder batting machine, far from being thrown out of gear through inactivity last season, lias had another remarkable season. Bradman records made up an amazing list before the batting phenomenon nad a serious illness which kept him out of action last year, but they appear to be never-ending. This season, as a South Australian batsmaiij Bradman lias been piling them up again, with an astounding 369 in 253 minutes as a final flourishing touch to the season's representative engagements. With that 36!) he broke Clem Hill’s 35-year-old record. Earlier in the season he had hit up 357 at Victoria's expense. And, as if that was not enough in the way of achievement in one innings, he became the only Australian to score a century on bis first appearance for each of two States. He created a new South Australian record against Victoria, and set. up, a new record for all matches between Victoria and South Australia. He made a new record for all firstclass matches with Victoria. He gained the record of treble centuries, this being his fifth score of over 300 in first-class cricket. He equalled W. R. Hammond's record of double centuries —23 —in first-class cricket. Previously he was on terms with W. H. Ponsford in the matter of first-class scores of over 300, the figures for both batsmen being: Bradman, 452, v. Queensland; 340, v. Victoria; 334, v. England, and 304, v. England. Ponsford, 429, v. Tasmania; 437, v. Queensland; 302, v. New South Wales; and 336, v. South Australia. It was not long after the addition of his 357 (v. Victoria) to that list that Don Bradman set higher marks with his 369 against Tasmania— A new record for South Australia. A world's record number of double centuries in first-class cricket. Increased his own record of scores of over 300 in first-class cricket from five to six. Created a new record, aggregate ot 1173 for a season's first-class cricket for South Australia, the previous highest being 873 by Vic. Richardson. Made a new record of double and treble centuries for South Australia in a season —he had made 233 in one match (this being a new record for South Australia against Queensland). Equalled the record number of centuries in a season for South Australia, and brought his number of three-figure scores in first-class cricket to 55 —a record for an Australian batsman. (Warren Bardsley is credited with 56, but some of his throe-figure scores in this total were not ranked officially as first-class.) There is no mistaking it—Bradman is a wizard. He has now made 15,033 runs in first-class cricket at an average of 92.80. Just how he flogged the bowling in his latest big innings is indicated in the speed with which he hit up the runs first 50 in 29 minutes, 100 in 70 minutes, 150 in 126 minfttes, 200 in 173. 2o() in 194, 300 in 213, 350 in 242, and 369 in 253 minutes. It is said that when the Tasmanian cricketers reached Adelaide they bombarded Jack Badcock with questions regarding the players. They particularly wanted to know what were thenprospects of success, and how Bradman was shaping. “Oh! He wants only 217 m this match to complete his thousand for the season, said Badcock. The Tasmanians stopped asking questions for a few minutes. But their silenec indicated (hat they were doing a lot of hard thinking. Bradman achieved his object and had 150 runs to spare. He scored almost as he liked, and eventually sickened of the business, as he tried to send back the ball to the bowler (Townley). The effort went astray, but the next hall went into Townley’s hands. The bowler heaved a sigh of' relief as he straightened up to thank Bradnian for the gift. Bradmans aim was to pass Clem Hills 3(>.i not out •—the record score made by a South Australian in first-class cricket.