7:00pm Thursday 26th November 2009
By Jim Durkin
A CRICKET bat from England’s victorious 1928/29 Ashes series is expected to sell for up to £1,000 at auction in Wareham.
The bat, signed by all 15 members of the English team that toured Australia, will go under the hammer at Cottees Auctions on December 1.
Among the signatures are Jack Hobbs and Douglas Jardine.
A few years later in the notorious 1932/33 ‘Bodyline’ tour, England captain Jardine would instruct his fast bowlers to aim directly at the Australian batsmen, forcing them to defend their bodies and provide easy catches for English fielders.
This tactic, widely condemned by the opposition, strained Anglo-Australian relations so much that politicians were eventually forced to step in and the MCC, England’s cricket governing body, subsequently changed the laws of the game.
A Cottees spokesman said: “The 1928 bat came to light during a routine valuation of an estate from Swanage and had been carefully protected in its original canvas bag for over 50 years.
“The bat which bears the signatures of Jack Hobbs and Douglas Jardine is in remarkable condition.”
The English team of 1928/29 won the series by four matches to one.
Three other items of interest for cricket fans have also been entered into the sale.
These include a bat autographed by English and Australian team members from 1948, as well as members from six county teams; a bat with signatures of the West Indies 1939 touring side; and a signed train wine menu.
The menu, from a Bournemouth Belle Pullman car, has the signatures of the entire 1946 English side.
The auction takes place at 10am, with viewing on November 28, 10am-12.30pm, and November 30, 10am-7pm.
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