The Cricketer Magazine – June 2018

S

eventy years ago, two Yorkshire teenagers,

both cricket-daft, who would later establish

outstanding reputations in the game, did not

require T20, deafening music, gaudy clothing

and 10-ball overs to be royally entertained at the fourth

Test at Headingley, late in July.

Ray Illingworth – then 16 and now an alert 86 – and

Dickie Bird – 15 in 1948, and currently 85 – were among

the crowd of more than 150,000 which packed into

Headingley where, famously, on the last day Arthur

Morris, with 182, and, inevitably, Don Bradman, 173

not out, put on 301 as Australia successfully chased a

historic 404 to win with 15 minutes to spare.

Australia won by seven wickets and the 404 remains the

highest fourth-innings winning total in a Test in England.

This was Bradman’s last appearance at Headingley. In his

previous Tests there he had destroyed England with 334

in 1930, 304 in 1934 and 103 in 1938. The Don finished

with an average of 192 at Leeds.

Illingworth – an Ashes-winning skipper in 1970/71 –

remembers clearly the drama seven decades ago.

“I knew a lot about the Australians from the books I had,

so to see them in real life was a real thrill. To a youngster

it meant everything. I got the bus from Farsley and it

dropped you right by the ground. There were big crowds,

the weather was beautiful and everyone was excited.

“I watched from the old winter shed where they had put

in 10–12 rows of temporary seating. Occasionally, I left

because it was so hot and you had to get into the shade.

“I have a particular memory of Bradman hooking. Bill

Inv IncIbles

Immorta lIsed

Seventy years ago this summer Ray Illingworth and Dickie Bird were among those who watched on

at Headingley in awe at Don Bradman’s 1948 Australians. Guy Williams caught up with them

Above

Don Bradman and

Norman Yardley

emerge from

the Headingley

pavilion, July 1948 S&G and Barratt

S/EMPICS S

Port

/Hulton

ar

CHI

vE

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