the big bambino
Cricketer Of The Year
Frustratingly I can't recall either the Mant book or the Fingleton passage about Bradman with any great clarity. I know I read excerpts of the Mant book at the Dickson public library. If I'm nearby I might see if its still there - long odds against though.
I can't even recall where I was when I read the Fingleton passage about Bradman. I believe the invitation came from a military outpost in Aden. Would the 1948 tourists have docked there? I've googled and apparently it was a regional protectorate of Britain until the 1960s. The name now refers to the port city alone. So it seems possible.
I've just read another Bradman - Fingleton anecdote. Apparently the latter had his bat blessed by a priest before an innings. It didn't really work and as the dismissed batsmen was passed by Bradman on the way to the crease he said to Fingleton lets see what a dry bat can do out there. No love lost alright.
Fingleton did blame Bradman for his non selection in 34 but was Bradman even a selector? Besides the side was strong in batting so Fingleton's absence shouldn't be seen as conspiratorial. Perhaps Fingleton was always thinking the worst of Bradman from the time he was suspected of leaking Woodfull's rebuke of Warner when he believed he was taking the fall for Bradman.
Sorry I can't be more helpful but I'm talking about items read more than a decade ago. None of which colours my opinion of Fingleton's writings which are gems of the game's literature.
I can't even recall where I was when I read the Fingleton passage about Bradman. I believe the invitation came from a military outpost in Aden. Would the 1948 tourists have docked there? I've googled and apparently it was a regional protectorate of Britain until the 1960s. The name now refers to the port city alone. So it seems possible.
I've just read another Bradman - Fingleton anecdote. Apparently the latter had his bat blessed by a priest before an innings. It didn't really work and as the dismissed batsmen was passed by Bradman on the way to the crease he said to Fingleton lets see what a dry bat can do out there. No love lost alright.
Fingleton did blame Bradman for his non selection in 34 but was Bradman even a selector? Besides the side was strong in batting so Fingleton's absence shouldn't be seen as conspiratorial. Perhaps Fingleton was always thinking the worst of Bradman from the time he was suspected of leaking Woodfull's rebuke of Warner when he believed he was taking the fall for Bradman.
Sorry I can't be more helpful but I'm talking about items read more than a decade ago. None of which colours my opinion of Fingleton's writings which are gems of the game's literature.