Australia v South Africa 1931-32

Played at BRISBANE, November 27, 28, 30, December 1, 2, 3. Australia won by an innings and 163 runs. Entering upon the first of their five Test Matches against Australia with a very moderate record behind them, South Africa cut a poor figure and, dismissed for totals of 170 and 117 after Australia had scored 450, they suffered a heavy defeat, Australia winning in an innings with 163 runs to spare. Still, South Africa were served a very bad turn by the weather. They had to field out while Australia were putting together their total on a firm, true pitch, and in reply had made 126 for three wickets on the Saturday. Then rain came to prevent any cricket at all on the Monday and Tuesday, and for the rest of the match the conditions were all against the visitors. The outstanding feature of the game was the splendid innings of 226 put together by Bradman. He and Woodfull added 163 for the second wicket, and later on Oldfield played well, but nobody else on the side accomplished anything of note. Bradman enjoyed a good deal of luck being missed off Quinn when 11 and again at 15. After those escapes he completely mastered the bowling and, before being leg-before in trying to force Vincent to the on, he hit twenty-two 4's. Bell bowled splendidly throughout the long innings and Quinn, who made the ball come quickly off the pitch, deserved a better record than that which he obtained.

When South Africa went in their opening batsmen were very steady, and at one period Mitchell did not score a run for seventy minutes. Still, with three men out for 126, they were not badly placed, but no further cricket was possible until four o'clock on the Wednesday. Mitchell played a most stubborn innings on the rain-soaked pitch but all the same the side were out for 170 and they followed-on 280 behind. They had a thankless task on the last day, for further rain fell in the night and they were all disposed of in their second innings for 117. Cameron played nicely but Taylor was the only, batsman to offer real resistance to some very effective bowling by Wall, who obtained five wickets for less than three runs apiece. Ironmonger, who dismissed four men, took nine wickets in the match for 86 runs.