Don Bradman 1930 Ashes Series Match-Used Signed Cricket Bat

A Don Bradman match-used bat from 1930 Ashes series A Sykes, Don Bradman Test cricket bat, match-used by Bradman during his record-breaking 1930 Ashes series, and signed by him in the ownership position, upper right reverse. Bradman has restrung both the top and bottom of the handle, not so unusual considering over 500 runs was scored with this blade. Originally sold by Lawsons as match-used by Bradman in 1929 (Lot 1004, Sale 234 in July 1987), Sykes did not produce these bats till Bradman's arrival in England in 1930, where he was presented with 30 for usage and presentation during the 1930 Ashes Series. This is number 6 (incised on bat bottom edge), being the earliest known numbered bat used by the Don. In the first game Australian X1 v Worcestershire on April 30 1930, Bradman scored 236 and a further 185 v Leicestershire on May 3, and went on to score 1,000 first-class runs by the end of May. Bradman's first-class tally for the 1930 series was 2,960 runs (at an average of 98.66 with 10 centuries), was another enduring record: the most by any overseas batsman on a tour of England. As is usual, Bradman incised details on both shoulders of this bat, on the right reverse shoulder Leicestershire 185* and on the left shoulder Worcester 236. Other details exist and we believe he also used this bay scoring 252* vs Surrey on May 24 1930. As Bradman notes in Farewell to Cricket: "Opening my account with a score of 236 ? and following this with 185 not out at Leicester, I discovered at once that English wickets suited strokes of a certain kind but not others. The bat has been cleaned too zealously in the 1970s, while removing grime, and more obvious evidence of match-use, this has also reduced the visibility of about 100 signatures, and information to both the front and reverse face of the blade. COA available from Bradman Copyright Materials.