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A Signed Cricket Bat From the 1932 - 33 Bodyline Test Series…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
15-Nov-2006
Lot No.
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Description:
A Signed Cricket Bat From the 1932 - 33 Bodyline Test Series and THE1946 - 47 Test Series A Jack Ryder Special English Willow full size cricket bat with a complete set of signatures by the English team from the 1932 - 33 'Bodyline' series; together with the signatures of both the Australian 'invincibles' team and the English team from the 1946 - 47 Test series, the bat further inscribed Melbourne Returned Soldiers, C. Club.' Provenance: The Test series between Australia and England in the summer of 1932-33 was one of the most volatile on record. The English side led by Captain D.R. Jardine devised a plan to counter the Australian batting, in particular that of Don Bradman, which came to be known as #Leg side theory# or #Bodyline#. The Second Test in Melbourne was where this bat was autographed by the English team and according to family history; it was signed before the game or during the English first innings as the Nawab of Pataudi was a conscientious objector to the #bodyline# tactic. His Highness did not play in any further Tests or sign any more autographs while in Australia. After the English had autographed the bat it was taken to the Australian rooms for signing as was the custom. In the Australian rooms someone, allegedly Captain W. (Bill) Woodfull told the person delivering the bat or bats, #tell that bastard we won#t sign them#. Jardine, upset by this sent another unnamed person back to find out who had called the English Captain #bastard#. An Australian player answered the door and without allowing the person into the room turned and called out #Who was the bastard that called the bastard a bastard?# The bat was subsequently donated to the Melbourne Returned Servicemen#s Cricket Club to be used as a fundraiser. However such was the feeling at the time there was little interest in it and the bat was placed in storage for a number of years. After World War II the bat was raffled to raise funds and was won by the previous owners father who was unhappy at not having the Australian signatures. Don Bradman was by this time a national hero and he was determined to get his signature and those of the Australian team. He introduced himself to Don Bradman at a dinner organized by the South Melbourne Cricket Club and mentioned the bat and its lack of Australian team signatures. Bradman being the consummate gentleman agreed to have the bat signed next time the Australian team was in Melbourne. In January 1947 Australia led by Don Bradman played a draw against the English team led by W.R. (Wally) Hammond. The previous owner and his father, took the bat to the Australian rooms during the Test. They were met by Bradman himself who not only had the bat signed but introduced the two to the Australian team. the English Team 1932-33 G. Duckworth T.B. Mitchell The Nawab of Pataudi M. Leyland H. Larwood E. Paynter P.F. Warner L.E.G. Ames H. Verity W. Voce W.E. Bowes M.W. Tate R. Palairet H. Sutcliffe R.E.S. Wyatt D.R. Jardine G.O. Allen W.R. Hammond the Australian Team 1946-47 F.W. Freer S.G. Barnes A.R. Morris D.G. Bradman A.L. Hassett K. R. Miller I.W. Johnson C.L. McCool D. Tallon R.R. Lindwall B. Dooland E.R. Toshack the English Team 1946-47 J. Hardstaff L. Hutton C. Washbrook W.J. Edrich D.C.S. Compton W.R. Hammond J.T. Ikin N.W.D. Yardley W. Voce A.V. Bedser D.V.P. Wright Plus 5 extra signatures
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified