27 November 1926 Don Bradman's St George Debut
St George Cricket Club | December 05, 2025
Just over a week ago we celebrated the 99th anniversary of one of the most significant innings in the history of our club and cricket in general.
27 November is a significant day for Australian, NSW and most importantly St George cricket. It was on that date in 1926, that a young Don Bradman made his debut for St George. Walking to the crease with the score at 4/104, 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 1st 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.
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 6/389, a task that proved beyond Petersham, a side that included two internationals. The ‘useful trundler’ taking 3/26 in the Petersham innings of 261, giving the Saints their second win of the season.
It should be noted that Targett finished with 150no, his only 1st 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.
Bradman moved to Sydney in 1928, living in the family home of St George Secretary, Frank Cush, at Rockdale. Two years after his St George debut Bradman became the first St George player to be selected for Australia, in the first test against England in Brisbane. Caught on a sticky wicket Bradman scored 18 and 1 and was dropped for the second test, the only time in his career. Recalled for the third test he showed his true talent with scores of 79 and 112. At that time the youngest player to score a test century.
Bradman remained a St George player for seven seasons, forced to leave in 1933 under the then residential qualification rule, having moved to North Sydney with his new wife, Jesse. Bradman scored 3013 runs for St George, averaging 91.3 with 13 centuries two of which were doubles. His 246 in 1931/32 still stands as the St George highest individual score.
Visitors to Petersham Oval will see a plaque near the gate commemorating Bradman’s century. Next year St George are organising for the 28 November game in 2026, the centenary of Bradman’s debut, to be played against Randwick Petersham at Petersham Oval.
BeaconPoint Cricket Clips – Phil Jaques on Batting: Mindset, Method and Making Runs
