AUSTRALIA'S BIG SCORE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21883, 20 August 1934, Page 9

AUSTRALIA'S BIG SCORE

i TWO WICKETS FOR 475 RUNS A RECORD PARTNERSHIP Australia won the toss in the final test cricket match against England, commenced at the Oval on Saturday, and, thanks to a remarkable partnership by Bradman and Ponsford, ended the day with the big score of 475 runs for two wickets. Intense public interest in the game caused some spectators to wait at the gate all night and 22,000 were present when play opened. Brown, who went in first with Ponsford, was out for 10 and Australia's score at the time was 21. Bradman then joined Ponsford and the spectators witnessed a fine exhibition of vigorous batting in a partnership which added 453. A feature of the partnership, apart from the breaking of three records, was the rapidity with which runs were amassed. Bradman made 244 and Ponsford 205 not out, and the pair scored 400 in 285 minutes. Frequent changes were made in the bowling, but these had no effect on the two batsmen, who surpassed their fourth test record of runs. Ponsford gave some chances, but Bradman played a chanceless innings. He was out 10 minutes before stumps were drawn, whereupon McCabe joined Ponsford and that pair will resume batting to-day. The destiny of the "ashes'* will be decided by the match, which is to be played to a finish.