Bradman's bat blazes historic glory in Sydney

HT's report on the day the batting great etched cricketing history against a visiting Indian team

- HT Correspondent

History was made in Australian cricket when Don Bradman scored his 100th century in first-class cricket against a touring India side in Sydney on November 15. He was the first Australian to claim this distinction.

Thunderous cheers erupted as he drove G Kishenchand for a single to reach the coveted hundred. His 172, which included 18 fours and one six, were scored at the rate of a run per minute. He played with strokes all round the wicket, as only Bradman can.

India was all out for 326 runs, with Kishenchand 75 not out. The Australian XI, faring worse than the tourists at two wickets for only 31 runs, set about recovering lost ground through Bradman and Miller. They put on 252 runs for the third-wicket before Hazare claimed Bradman's wicket, with Lala Amarnath taking a well-judged catch. At close of play, the home team had made 342 for four wickets.

Keith Miller played soundly for his 86 runs. He was unusually restrained, but his innings helped Bradman to completely master the Indian attack. Amarnath's men fielded better, though their returns were lacklustre.