Bradman's 340* for NSW vs Victoria — Sydney, 1929

Bradman had failed twice at Brisbane (18 and 1) in his Test debut. The selectors dropped him for the second Test at Sydney; he was 12th man for that match. The third Test was at Melbourne in late December — and the Sydney 340* came in the brief Sheffield Shield gap between the second and third Tests.

Bradman had been dropped after the first Test of the 1928-29 Ashes. Returning to Sheffield Shield duty for NSW in early January, he came in against Victoria — Ponsford, Ryder, Woodfull and the off-spin of Don Blackie all in opposition — and proceeded to make a chanceless 340 not out in 488 minutes, with 38 fours.

The Victorian attack was the strongest in Sheffield Shield cricket. Bradman's innings included a stand of 297 with Alan Kippax for the third wicket; he was missed only once, on 280, and his only false stroke was a slash high over slip on 312 that fell safely. The 340* was the highest individual score ever made at the SCG, beating Reggie Duff's 271 of 1903.

The selectors had no choice but to recall him for the third Test at Melbourne, where he made 79 and 112 — his first Test hundred. The 340* at Sydney is the innings that, in retrospect, marked the moment when Bradman's first-class career achieved escape velocity from the rest of Australian batting.

“I felt the bowling was below the standard I had faced at Brisbane. The pitch was slow but true and the field was patient.”

Bradman was recalled for the third Test at Melbourne. He scored 79 and 112 — his maiden Test hundred. He went on to score 468 runs in the rest of the series. The 340* stood as his highest first-class score until 452* in January 1930 (vs Queensland).