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The 1930 Australian XI: Winners of the Ashes (1930)

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Taking back the Ashes

Clip description

In this clip you hear the team’s new star, Don Bradman, begin to speak. The order of all the speakers on the record is Bill Woodfull, captain of the team, followed by senior batsman Alan Kippax, spin bowler Clarrie Grimmett, Bradman, fast bowler Tim Wall and all-rounder Stan McCabe, youngest member of the team.

Curator’s notes

It is clear from the stilted delivery of Bradman and the other players that the recording was completely scripted, and that they were unaccustomed to the new technology. Bradman sounds very stiff and formal here. He even later fluffs a line when he says ‘Fortune favoured me from the start of the tour and managed to keep it’. Few people would have been familiar with Bradman’s peculiarly high-pitched voice in 1930, so we may assume that his presence on the record was the main selling attraction. It’s curious then that he doesn’t appear until halfway through – as the first to speak on the B-side. The discs were limited to three minutes per side, which is why we hear a break in the middle of the recording.

The speaking order on the record appears to have been determined by age – or perhaps seniority. The first three speakers are in their 30s. The B-side contains the youngsters – Bradman at 21, Tim Wall at 26 and ‘Young Napper’, Stan McCabe, who turned 20 while on tour. The unidentified woman who introduces them, possibly BBC journalist Catherine (Kit) Fenton, was more correct than she could know – the recording was indeed historic.

One of the ironies of the recording is that Bill Woodfull says they are heading home with precious cargo, ‘The Ashes’. In fact, The Ashes urn remained at its home at the Marylebone Cricket Club at Lords Cricket Ground in London, as always. The urn stays in its display case at Lords no matter which team has won it.

Don Bradman First of all, I want to pay a tribute to our captain. He has been splendid in every way, and I am sure much of my success has been due to him and his influence. I have always endeavoured to do my best for the side, and the few centuries that have come my way have been achieved in the hope of winning matches. My one idea when going into bat was to make runs for Australia.

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australianscreen is produced by the National Film and Sound Archive. By using the website you agree to comply with the terms and conditions described elsewhere on this site. The NFSA may amend the 'Conditions of Use’ from time to time without notice.

All materials on the site, including but not limited to text, video clips, audio clips, designs, logos, illustrations and still images, are protected by the Copyright Laws of Australia and international conventions. All rights are reserved.

When you access australianscreen you agree that:

  • You may retrieve materials for information only.
  • You may save, copy, print, distribute or download materials for your own personal use or for non-commercial educational purposes. Commercial exploitation of materials on this website is prohibited.
  • The National Film and Sound Archive’s permission must be sought to amend any information in the materials, unless otherwise stated in notices throughout the Site.

ANY UNAUTHORISED USE OF MATERIAL ON THIS SITE MAY RESULT IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY.

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