On the Front Page; Bradman and Wife Cricketing Tempest

Northern Advocate, 9 July 1938, Page 5

On the Front Page; Bradman and Wife Cricketing Tempest

(Received 10 a.mj LONDON, July 8. A MEETING OF THE AUSTRALIAN CRICKET TEAM, IT WAS DECIDED TO APPEAL TO THE AU STRALIAN BOARD OF CONTROL TO RESCIND THE BAN ON BRADMAN’S WIFE COMING TO ENGLAND. THE NEWS WAS KEPT SECRET UNIIL LAST NIGHT. IT WAS THE INTENTION OF THE PLAYERS TO MAKE A CONFIDENTIAL APPEAL TO THE BOARD ON BRADMAN’S BEHALF. Bradman naturally was aware of the position, and appreciated the demonstration cf the team’s solidarity. The players, however, are dismayed at the leakage of the news, which has been given front-page publicity in London.

The manager of the Australian team, Mr W. H. Jeans, who is a permanent official of the board, refuses to discuss the question, but there is no doubt that the players are taking the firm stand in sympathy with their captain. Bradman, in the meantime, remains silent. He has no intention of dishonouring' his contract, with the board, and will return with the Australian team. Further" lucrative offers have been made to him to join London newspapers, two of which have offered to pay his wife’s expenses to London. The Lancashire League is prepared for Bradman to “write his own ticket’’ if he will play in the professional competition. Bradman, after a consultation with Mr Jeans to-day, decided to make no statement at present. The “Star,” a London newspaper, says there is no question of defying tht- ban on Mrs Bradman, but Bradman is likely to refuse again to visit England unless the contract is altered.

A Sydney cable says that most of the Australian newspapers are standing behind Bradman and decrying the Board of Control, which is fiercely attacked in an editorial in the “Sun.” The article refers to the cases of both Bradman and the Davis Cup tennis player Hopman, and alleges that tennis and cricket are ruled by dictators. “We have rocked with laughter at some things Fascism has imposed on totalitarian countries,” it states. “Can we hear their shrieks of laughter now?”