It could be argued NZ rugby were propping Aussie rugby for their own benefit, not ours.

So they could continue to flog big brother at rugby….. !

On a more serious note, whichever way you look at it, we displayed a lack of generosity to NZ in cricket, while they were overwhelmingly generous to us in rugby.

I can be harsh on Bradman in some areas, but hell, hands in the pockets is not a sin, even in front of a king.

Anyway, when it comes to royalty, the French had the right idea….. !

To be honest, most Australians tend not to think of New Zealanders – at least those still in NZ – and simply take for granted that they are there, like the quiet old maiden aunt with lots of cats a few streets away that you visit when someone nags you to.

Still, it could have been worse: NZ could have been part of Federation, and that would have been a terrible mess for all involved.

Retrospective reclassification of these games as tests would also have the nice result that Sam Trimble would at last be a test cricketer!

Some handy test debutantes for Australia in 1946 – Miller and Lindwall heading the list.

Apart from the names you mention, the Australian squad included Len Maddocks and JH Shaw (who scored centuries along with Bob Simpson and Brian Booth) and Johnny Martin. They played 4 Representative matches against NZ, won one and drew three. NZ included great batsmen Bert Sutcliffe (who hit a century) and John Reid.

NZ was not the only country to wait long for their second Test series against Australia. The West Indies had to wait 21 years (from 1930 to 1951, of course the WWII stopped Test cricket from 1939 to 46) and India nine years from 1947 to 56. Also India had to wait for 20 years between two tours to Australia (1947 to 1967).

Those days England, Australia and South Africa were the Big Three of cricket, till Frank Worrell changed the balance of power starting in 1960-61.

What a change now — India, South Africa and Australia are the Top 3.

Sadly, there is a long and sad tradition of Australia not so much shafting as patronising NZ cricket. It continues to this day, as we saw when Cricket Australia bullied New Zealand into accepting John Howard as the two countries’ nominee to serve as ICC president from 2012. The Kiwis’ preferred choice, Sir John Anderson, was an infinitely superior choice but big brother had his way and Howard got the gig.

I was cutting a very fine line & I appreciate that you were able to understand where I was coming from.

Points well made and as mentioned earlier by Sheek, these add balance to the perspective i was giving – good work guys, thanks.

I wasn’t trying to make light of fibrosis, but Bradman could be picky & choosy with the best of them.

As mentioned, the 28 year gap between Australia’s 1st & 2nd test against NZ speaks very poorly of Australia. On the other hand, NZ rugby kept Australian rugby afloat on many, many occasions.

Vinay,

Very true, the game, any game, is greater than any individual, which I think is the crux of your statement.

Bradman made a lot of money out of his extraordinary fame as a cricketer, but was unwilling to help Aussie cricketers in the late 60s/early 70s when test matches & tours were mushrooming, but players still expected to play & tour while holding down a regular job.

On the one hand, I’m trying to demystify the demi-God status around Bradman. On the other hand, I’m a great admirer of Ian Chappell. Frankly, he’s the kind of leader I would follow into battle. He leads from the front, & sticks up for his troops. Two outstanding qualities IMHO.

We seem to live in a wussy society where you can’t criticise. The lunatics are in charge of the asylums of power. Slowly, ever so slowly but surely you see our values system being eroded, partly because you can’t ctiticise, or be seen to.

Chappell says the things that parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, mentors & mates ought to be saying, but don’t. Consequently, he gets panned.

A leading cricketer, or any sportsman, is surrounded by a personal manager, team manager, media manager, broker, agent, lawyer, accountant, & God knows who else, all telling him how wonderful he is because they’re all on his gravy train. Neon light example – Tiger Woods.

None of these people reproach a player for anti-social behaviour. But someone like Chappell will do it, & the player is shocked when given his reality check. Consequently, this is why Chappell is so loathed by today’s pampered generation. (I say this broadly without any particular cricket person or incident in mind).

IMHO.

Of course, Bradman is an absolute legend. But let’s not forget he was very human also.

It is a matter of public record his disagreement with Fingleton,O’Reilly and Ian Chappell. From my perspective Bradman did better financially out of cricket than his contemporaries. Ian Chappell fought for and obtained,through World Series,a better deal for cricketers of his and subsequent generations. One may well conclude that now it is out of hand with cricketers holding their Boards to ransom. For Cricket to prosper everyone concerned,players,administrators and broadcasters have to give more than they take. The era of greed is good and Gecko’s on Wall Street should be buried once and for all.

I respect your opinions and based on what you write you have a decent knowledge of the history of cricket. I’m taking the liberty of assuming that you knew neither Richardson or Bradman but I’d certainly prefer my battles to be fought in private rather than in the newspapers and after someone has passed away (ala Ian Chappell) and this is why I respect the way Bradman went about his work in this instance.

Ian Chappell is not well liked or respected by a lot of players post his era (besides like beings like Warnie and Punter) for perhaps reasons not disimilar in principal as to why Chappell didn’t like Bradman – they saw the world differently! I can’t see why publicly defaming someone makes you a ‘mans man’.

What I wanted to underline in my story was that two historic Tests played 64 years apart (Aus v. Eng at The Oval 1882 which started the Ashes legend, and Aus v. NZ at Wellington which was not only the first between the two countries but also the first after WWII) lasted only two days each.

There were plenty of others who agreed with Richardson & Chappell. You don’t get to be the greatest batsman in history without developing a prickly, single-minded attitude, do you?

To provide some balance, both Richardson & (Ian) Chappell were revered as test leaders by their players. Both were men’s men – hard playing & hard partying, sticking up for their team against management, building an unshakeable bond.

Since I relate to that “us versus them” concept at times, plus their bluntness, I greatly admire both men. With Bradman, I am respectful of his achievements, but less admiring of the man.

Mind you, Bradman had plenty to say in private, but it didn’t make the papers. But hey, I love my heroes as ordinary flawed humans rather than deities placed on pedestals!

OJ,

Yep, this is a part of Aussie-NZ relations that doesn’t show Aussie in a good light. It was convenient for Australia to send 2nd XIs to NZ in 1949/50, 56/57, 59/60, 66/67 & 69/70. The 49/50, 66/67 & 69/70 tours coincided with the Aussies being in SA (also in India in 69/70). The 56/57 & 59/60 tours coincided with the Aussies being in India & Pakistan.

In fact, it was very convenient, so they didn’t want to change this arrangement too quickly.

Richardson suffered from the same illness as his grandson. An inability to see the good side of someone they disliked. Funny thing about Chappelli and Richardson is that they were quite happy to bag Bradman in public but it was never returned by Sir Donald. I think this says a bit about all concerned.

Australia refused to play us. They didn’t give that 1946 Test official status until 1948. We were considered a B-team. The Bangladesh of our day!

It’s intriguing that Bradman never suffered any illness sufficient to prevent him touring England in 1930, 34, 38 & 48, the only cricketing country he toured.

Bradman pulled out of the SA tour in 1935/36, as he was changing states & jobs. From what I can gather, the Australians who toured SA under Vic Richardson didn’t miss him a single day!