From The Vault - Bradman's Saints Debut
St George Cricket Club | October 28, 2024
When Don Bradman made his debut in 1st Grade at Petersham Oval on Saturday 27 November 1926, walking to the crease with the score at 4 for 104, I’m certain no one in the crowd could have imagined the impact this young man would have on, not only that match, but cricket itself.
Dick Jones, the Club Assistant Secretary, and inaugural first grade captain, who opened the batting that day, sadly dismissed for a duck, thought the boy from Bowral had more potential than most.
It was Jones, then a State Selector, who’d seen Bradman playing in Country Week and pounced when Central Cumberland, now Parramatta, baulked at covering the cost of his train fare to Sydney each weekend. Jones and the St George hierarchy had no such qualms and happily agreed to this arrangement. So, Bradman commenced his stint in the famous hooped cap.
First St George captain Dick Jones
The St George Call edition of 3 December noted ‘…Bradman showing fine judgement in placing. He made 110 then ran himself out. He is also a useful trundler and should be a good acquisition to the Club, which is complimented in giving such a promising youth the opportunity to play in higher cricket to that which he has been accustomed to.’ The author didn’t realise what ‘a good acquisition’ he would prove to be.
While scoring his 110, Bradman and his partner Clarrie Targett, put on 197 as St George declared at 6 for 389, a task that proved beyond Petersham, a side that included two internationals. The ‘useful trundler’ taking 3 for 26 in the Petersham innings of 261, giving the Saints their second win of the season.
It should be noted that Targett finished with 150*, his only first grade century, scored at a run a minute, but as Arthur Morris, another St George legend, often recalled, not many remember who was at the other end when Bradman batted. Morris was at the other end when Bradman was dismissed in his last Test innings for the famous duck. Morris scored 196 that day.
It begs the question what happened to Clarrie Targett. He departed first grade at St George with 452 runs at 25.11 and in the 1928-29 season played in the NSW Junior Competition in Moore Park. It was in baseball however that he made his mark, for Marrickville and NSW. He was regarded as the best third baseman and hitter in NSW between 1928 and 1936. He was known in Sydney as ‘The King of Swat’,
Visitors to Petersham Oval will see a plaque near the gate commemorating Bradman’s century, the first of 13 in St George colours, two of which were doubles including the 246 in the 1931 - 32 season that still stands as our Club’s highest individual score.
By Ron Cardwell
