[3] An opening batsman, Bill made a century on his first-class debut against Tasmania in 1929–30.
[7] He was one of the Australians' leading batsmen until the match against Patiala when, on 118, his jaw was broken by a delivery from the fast bowler Mohammad Nissar.
[8] He wrote a continuing account of the tour for the weekly Sydney Mail between November 1935 and March 1936.
At one point, in three eight-ball overs, Bradman scored 100 runs while Bill, at the other end, made two singles.
[10][8] During World War II, Bill was in the Australian Army from May 1943 to March 1946, serving as a private in an anti-aircraft unit.