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NSW Cricket Association Southern Tour in December 1927. Don Bradman is in the back row 3rd from right. AAP Photo/ Mortlock Library of South Australia
As I was walking this morning, thinking furiously for a unique idea for The Roar, I saw a parked car with a registration plate 334 and I had a mental image of Don Bradman and Mark Taylor scoring 334 in a Test 68 years apart.
Bradman’s was against England in the 1930 Leeds Test, and Mark Taylor’s 334 not out was versus Pakistan at Peshawar in 1998-99.
But what a contrast!
Bradman was then a 22 year-old prodigy at his supreme best. Skipper Taylor, at 34, was passing through a horror patch.
After being unbeaten on 334 overnight, Taylor declared the innings closed.
Was it out of deference for the legendary Don or was it for a chance of snatching a victory for Australia?
The high scoring Test was drawn.
When Taylor visited Bradman at his home a few weeks later, the Don thanked him – as he had in a letter – for not exceeding his score
This gave me an idea for an interesting Roar story.
334 has become a historical number. However, it is not the most recognized number in the game’s history.
Mention 99.94 to even a cricket non-tragic and you will get the answer, Bradman’s Test batting average, of course. ABC radio has the Postal address, GPO Box 9994.
Last August, Bradman’s 99.94th birthday was celebrated on 4 August with splendour. His birth centenary came 23 days later as he was born on 27 August 1908.
Bradman is also associated with another joint-figure of cricket curiosity, 234.
Sid Barnes and Bradman established a fifth wicket Test record of 405 runs with both scoring 234 runs in the Sydney Test of December 1946 against England. This record still stands after 63 years.
There is a belief – perhaps a myth – that Barnes, a true character, threw away his wicket after Bradman was dismissed so that he would be remembered the same way as the Don.
Mark Waugh has two nicknames, Afghan (for being a forgotten Waugh) and Audi. He was nicknamed Audi after scoring four ducks in a row against Sri Lanka in Colombo and Moratuwa in 1992-93. (0000, as you know, is the logo for the Audi car).
One more zero and he could have been nicknamed Olympics!
Can Roarers come up with more such historic numbers?
From historic to downright trivial:
In the Oval Test of 1972 against England, Australia’s Ian and Greg Chappell became the first brothers to hit Test centuries together. At one stage during their 201 run partnership, the scoreboard read: IM Chappell 34, GS Chappell 34, Last wicket 34. No. of overs 34.More on the Chappell brother saga: at one stage on the final day in the Brisbane Test of November 1975, the scoreboard read: IM Chappell 64, GS Chappell 64. Total 2-164.
And finally, on the 3rd day of the 3rd Test in the “3” sponsored Test series on 28 December 2003 in Melbourne, Australia was at one stage 3-333, trailing India by 33 runs.
Figures are fun. But at times they make you fume!