Topic: Don Bradman, Sir Arthur Eddington, and a Legendary Cricket Puzzle (Read 2480 times)

CLR James · « **on:** July 21, 2006, 10:57:02 AM »

Dear All,

I am glad to be back after a long hiatus. I have been vacationing and ocassionally researching in India, hence the absence. The DG seems to be as animated as ever. It is geat to be back with you guys. Anyway, here is a problem to mull over before the cricket action begins.

Around 1930, the famous British Astrophysicist Sir Arthur Eddington presented Don Bradman with a cricket puzzle. The great batsman took almost two decades to solve it, or so the story goes, finally cracking it on the long sea voyage to England for his last tour in 1948. Bradman was so impressed that he published the puzzle in his book "The Art of Cricket".

I hit upon the puzzle a couple of decades back, when I was 12 years old. I solved it, and sent a letter to "Don Bradman, Sydney, Australia". It reached (Bradman was in Adaleide that time) after a couple of months. The great man wrote me a personally scripted letter in reply, which I am scanning and attaching to this mail (I hope the attachment works).

Anyway, here is the puzzle. IF YOU SOLVE IT, PLEASE SEND ME THE ANSWER BY PERSONAL MESSAGE ONLY. It would be a shame to make the answer public early on.

THE PUZZLE

An Imaginary Scoreboard

Atkins 6
Bodkins 8
Dawkins 6
Hawkins 6
Jenkins 5
Larkins 4
Meakins 7
Perkins 11
Simkins 6
Tomkins 0
Willkins 1

Extras 0

Total 60

BOWLING

Pitchwell: 12.1-2-14-8
Speedwell: 6-0-15-1
Tosswell: 7-5-31-1

CLUES:

1. The Batsmen have scored only in singles and 4s.
2. All of them were clean bowled. No one was caught or run out. There were no no balls or 'short' runs.
3. Speedwell and Tosswell bowled 6 and 7 overs respectively at a stretch.
4. Pitchwell opened the bowling, with Speedwell coming in at the other end for the next over.
5. The overs were of 6 balls each.

QUESTIONS:

1. Which bowler dismissed which batsmen?
2. Who was not out?
3. What were the Fall of Wickets?

All the best to those who take an interest. It is not as difficult as it sounds.

jaat69 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2006, 11:02:15 AM »

Welcome back CLR!

CLR James · « **Reply #2 on:** July 21, 2006, 11:04:33 AM »

Thanks jaat! Feels good!

dhruvdeepak · « **Reply #3 on:** July 21, 2006, 11:09:39 AM »

back with a bang!
our cricket historian is back

this is a great puzzle, i have heard of it before but never seen it this close up. will be fun to tackle.

and - a letter from the Don? fantastic! congrats. the closest I've ever gotten to him is the wax statue at Mme Tussauds. and a life-size life-like painting of him at an ozzie bar in Dubai

anyways, glad you're back. enjoy catching up with the innumerable threads and many jokes

achutank · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2006, 12:12:46 PM »

brilliant CLR what a piece of cricket memorablia. you have framed it in your study i presume, and must be boasting about it to your grandchildren by now.

prfsr · « **Reply #5 on:** July 21, 2006, 12:24:02 PM »

Quote from: achutank on July 21, 2006, 12:12:46 PM

brilliant CLR what a piece of cricket memorablia. you have framed it in your study i presume, and must be boasting about it to your grandchildren by now.

achutank · « **Reply #6 on:** July 21, 2006, 12:33:09 PM »

prfsr what r u laughin at mate, we know you were in CLR's class in school.

CLR James · « **Reply #7 on:** July 21, 2006, 01:24:12 PM »

Thanks to Dhruv for pointing out that the score card is missing the first batsman. I have added it now.

Meanwhile Achu, did you hear about all my boasting from your grandkids?

fineleg · « **Reply #8 on:** July 22, 2006, 04:46:13 AM »

CLR,
Welcome back! You have to make up for ur absence by being more active!

fineleg · « **Reply #9 on:** July 22, 2006, 08:24:48 AM »

CLR,
I cannot make out all words in his handwriting...I am sure u've done that zillion times reading the letter over and over again...can u type out the words here for the rest of us.
CONGRATS and I feel honored that one of our DG-ians have a letter from the Don.

achutank · « **Reply #10 on:** July 22, 2006, 10:34:59 AM »

other guys have autographs and photos please post it too. maybe then we can start a memorablia page if the quantity is good.

RicePlateReddy · « **Reply #11 on:** July 22, 2006, 01:17:17 PM »

Quote from: fineleg on July 22, 2006, 08:24:48 AM

CLR,
I cannot make out all words in his handwriting...I am sure u've done that zillion times reading the letter over and over again...can u type out the words here for the rest of us.
CONGRATS and I feel honored that one of our DG-ians have a letter from the Don.

The letter is readable, fineleg. The only thing I can't read is James' real name!

Adelaide 12.7.83

Dear Anslup :-)

I have just received your letter. Congratulations on solving the puzzle. Your answer is quite correct. Not many have done it and for a boy of 12 to do so is remarkable. Good luck. Don Bradman.

Quite remarkable to have this great note from the Don, CLR. Thanks for sharing the puzzle and the note - applause. I estimate it is worth a handsome bundle on eBay, but I am sure owning it is more precious.

(I believe Poochandi is in receipt of several personal letters from the Don also :-))

prfsr · « **Reply #12 on:** July 22, 2006, 03:13:09 PM »

Quote from: kingofprussia on July 22, 2006, 01:17:17 PM

Quote from: fineleg on July 22, 2006, 08:24:48 AM
CLR,
I cannot make out all words in his handwriting...I am sure u've done that zillion times reading the letter over and over again...can u type out the words here for the rest of us.
CONGRATS and I feel honored that one of our DG-ians have a letter from the Don.

The letter is readable, fineleg. The only thing I can't read is James' real name!

Adelaide 12.7.83

Dear Anslup :-)

I have just received your letter. Congratulations on solving the puzzle. Your answer is quite correct. Not many have done it and for a boy of 12 to do so is remarkable. Good luck. Don Bradman.

Quite remarkable to have this great note from the Don, CLR. Thanks for sharing the puzzle and the note - applause. I estimate it is worth a handsome bundle on eBay, but I am sure owning it is more precious.

(I believe Poochandi is in receipt of several personal letters from the Don also :-))

"Anustup" - well-known Bengali name.

-P

dhruvdeepak · « **Reply #13 on:** July 22, 2006, 03:30:13 PM »

Quote from: achutank on July 22, 2006, 10:34:59 AM

other guys have autographs and photos please post it too. maybe then we can start a memorablia page if the quantity is good.

great idea. ive got an autograph book with a few... will have to get it scanned

CLR James · « **Reply #14 on:** July 24, 2006, 03:58:23 AM »

KoP and Pfsr are absolutely correct in terms of the content of the letter and my name. Yes, the letter would fetch a tidy sum on the internet, but owning it is definitely a priceless experience.

The memorablia string sounds very good. Get your autograph book scanned Dhruv!

suraj · « **Reply #15 on:** July 24, 2006, 05:29:05 AM »

Quote from: CLR James on July 24, 2006, 03:58:23 AM

KoP and Pfsr are absolutely correct in terms of the content of the letter and my name. Yes, the letter would fetch a tidy sum on the internet, but owning it is definitely a priceless experience.

The memorablia string sounds very good. Get your autograph book scanned Dhruv!

u are a genius CLR- I think I ma pretty close to the solution- will pM u

CLR James · « **Reply #16 on:** July 25, 2006, 09:22:17 AM »

Quote from: suraj on July 24, 2006, 05:29:05 AM

Quote from: CLR James on July 24, 2006, 03:58:23 AM
KoP and Pfsr are absolutely correct in terms of the content of the letter and my name. Yes, the letter would fetch a tidy sum on the internet, but owning it is definitely a priceless experience.

The memorablia string sounds very good. Get your autograph book scanned Dhruv!

u are a genius CLR- I think I ma pretty close to the solution- will pM u

Way to go! Best of luck Suraj.

dhruvdeepak · « **Reply #17 on:** July 25, 2006, 09:28:00 AM »

lol- was just looking thru my autograph book. apart from the main stars of the time (probably '94 or '95) i have autographs of Utpal Chatterji and Prashant Vaidya....they were probably the nicest to me when i went up to ask...what memories

CLR James · « **Reply #18 on:** July 25, 2006, 09:47:48 AM »

I saw Utpal Chatterjee for the first time in 1983, playing club cricket in Siliguri. He used to be a tearaway left arm fast bowler and an attacking opening batsman!

dhruvdeepak · « **Reply #19 on:** July 25, 2006, 10:08:41 AM »

Fast bowler ?!!? Lol he was a decent left arm spin bowler in the few odis he played for India and if i am not mistaken batted at #10 ahead of V Prasad!
i will scan the autographs today when I get a chance and post them up

CLR James · « **Reply #20 on:** July 28, 2006, 09:06:38 AM »

Yes Dhruv. He started off as a fast bowler, then switched to spin after an injury. I think he actually played a couple of Ranji matches as an opening bowler early on in his career.

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AuthorTopic: Don Bradman, Sir Arthur Eddington, and a Legendary Cricket Puzzle (Read 2480 times)

jaat69