TEST CRICKET

Southland Times, Issue 21820, 24 September 1932, Page 5

TEST CRICKET

PRESS ARTICLES WRITING BY PLAYERS PROHIBITED .BRADMAN’S BOMBSHELL (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) Sydney, September 23. The Australian Board of Cricket Control has decided to prohibit test players from writing for the Press excepting those whose sole occupation is journalism. Thus Ponsford, Woodfull, Grimmett and Bradman come within the ban. Ponsford was formerly employed by the Melbourne Herald, but now by the Melbourne Cricket Club. Woodfull is a school teacher, and Bradman is employed in a sports emporium. Bradman recently signed a contract to supply articles to a Sydney newspaper. Don Bradman threw a bombshell into cricketing circles in regard to the player-writer when he declared this afternoon: “If the Board of Control has said its last word it means that I will not be available for test cricket. I signed a contract to write articles and must observe it. I cannot allow cricket to interfere with my work. Unless the State has a similar rule I will at least be able to play for New South Wales.”

The Sun newspaper, with which Bradman has contracted to write a series of articles, announces in its last edition: “The Sun will not stand unreasonably in the way of Bradman playing test cricket.” Cricketing officials are amazed at the development, which was quite unexpected. M. A. Noble was voicing popular opinion when he declared it would be a tragedy if Bradman was not available for the tests. He hoped a compromise would be effected, as a conflict with the Board of Control would end with the board winning. There was no escape from it.

“BRADMAN WILL PLAY.’’

(Rec. 12.55 a.m.) London, September 23. Under the heading “Trying to work up a Scare,” the Star characteristically comments: “Articles or no articles, rules oi’ no rules, Bradman will play.”