Catalogue for the auction of
Cricket, Wisden Cricketers’ Almanacks,
Football & Sporting Memorabilia
Held on Friday, Saturday & Sunday
22nd, 23rd & 24th March 2024
Lot 1339
Estimate: £100/150
Hammer: £400
‘Australia v. England. The 115th Test Match’. Rare official commemorative silk scorecard for the 1st Test match in the 1928/29 Ashes series, played at the Exhibition Oval, Brisbane, 30th November- 5th December 1928 (Timeless Test). In a one-sided affair, England chose to bat first and posted 521, Patsy Hendren top scorer with 169, Harold Larwood making 70, Percy Chapman 50. In reply Australia could reach only 122, Larwood taking 6/32. England chose to bat again and declared their second innings at 342/8 (Phil Mead 73, Douglas Jardine 65no, Clarrie Grimmett taking 6/131. Australia were then bowled out for a paltry 66 (Kelleway and Gregory absent hurt). England won by a record margin of 675 runs. The silk scorecard, measuring 8.25”x11.75”, is lightly laid to black album page with minor show-through to the corners, otherwise in very good condition.
Don Bradman made his Test debut in this match, scoring 18 and 1. Australia’s Jack Gregory retired hurt during this match having injured his knee, and did not play again in first-class cricket. England went on to win the five-match Ashes series 4-1. England’s victory margin of 675 remains a record in Test matches to this day.
The Brisbane Exhibition Ground (now known as the Brisbane Showground) was the first to host a Test match in Queensland. Only one more Test match was played there, in 1931, before ‘The Gabba’ became the home of Test cricket in Queensland later that year.
The Brisbane Exhibition Ground (now known as the Brisbane Showground) was the first to host a Test match in Queensland. Only one more Test match was played there, in 1931, before ‘The Gabba’ became the home of Test cricket in Queensland later that year.