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Don Bradman

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Sir Donald George Bradman was an Australian international cricketer.

Donald Bradman australian cricket player pic
Donald Bradman australian cricket player pic

He is widely acknowledged as the greatest batsman of all time. Many people call him "the Don." His career Test batting average was 99.94. Some experts consider this the greatest achievement in any major sport. He became a sporting idol for Australia during the Great Depression.

His hero status continued through the Second World War.

Bradman developed his skills through intense solo practice. As a youth, he invented a unique game to improve his timing. He used a cricket stump as a bat. He also used a small golf ball instead of a cricket ball. He hit the ball against a curved brick stand behind his family home.

Don Bradman's cricket bats at the State Library of South Australia, Adelaide, February 2023
Don Bradman's cricket bats at the State Library of South Australia, Adelaide, February 2023

The ball would rebound at high speeds and varying angles. This method helped his reactions and timing reach a very high degree. He hit his first century at age 12 while playing for Bowral Public School.

His rise to professional cricket was incredibly rapid. In the 1920–21 season, he acted as a scorer for the Bowral team. He eventually moved to Sydney to play grade cricket for St George.

Bradman c.1928
Bradman c.1928

He made his first-class debut at the Adelaide Oval when he was 19. His trademark style included fast footwork, calm confidence, and rapid scoring. He moved to Sydney again for the 1928–29 season to improve his Test selection chances. This move led to his selection for his first Test match in Brisbane.

Bradman's Test career included many historic moments and challenges. In his first Test at age 20, Australia lost by 675 runs.

He was later recalled to the Melbourne Cricket Ground. There, he scored 79 and 112 to become the youngest player to make a Test century. This record was soon broken by Archie Jackson. During the 1930 tour of England, Bradman's elegant technique helped the Australian team. He scored 1,690 first-class runs that season, averaging 93.88.

He achieved legendary status through massive individual scores. In 1929, he set a world record for first-class cricket. He scored 452 not out against Queensland at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Bradman chaired
Bradman chaired

He achieved this feat in only 415 minutes of play. To stop his scoring, the England team used controversial tactics called Bodyline. These tactics were specially devised to curb his ability to hit runs. Despite this, Bradman remained a dominant force in the game.

After the Second World War, Bradman led the Australian team on a famous tour. This team was known as "the Invincibles." They completed a record-breaking unbeaten tour of England.

Aus1930Team
Aus1930Team

Bradman also served the sport as an administrator, selector, and writer for three decades. He was a complex and highly driven man. While he drew record numbers of spectators, he often disliked constant adulation. This focus on his individual performance sometimes strained his relationships with teammates and journalists.

Bradman remains a massive national icon in Australia.

Don Bradman statue at Adelaide Oval
Don Bradman statue at Adelaide Oval

In 1997, Prime Minister John Howard called him the "greatest living Australian." His image has appeared on postage stamps and coins. The Royal Australian Mint issued a $5 gold coin for his centenary in 2008. He was also inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009. A museum dedicated to his life was opened to preserve his legacy.

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🖼️ Images & Media (22)
File:SirDonaldBradmansBirthplaceCootamundra.jpg
SirDonaldBradmansBirthplaceCootamundra.jpg
File:Bradman c.1928.jpg
Bradman c.1928.jpg
File:Bradman chaired.jpg
Bradman chaired.jpg
File:Donald Bradman Sam Hood 1932 (retouched).jpg
Donald Bradman Sam Hood 1932 (retouched).jpg
File:Bradman 1933-35 SLNSW FL20728625.jpg
Bradman 1933-35 SLNSW FL20728625.jpg
File:Aus1930Team.jpg
Aus1930Team.jpg
File:BradmanWedding.jpg
BradmanWedding.jpg
File:BradmanDuck32-33.jpg
BradmanDuck32-33.jpg
File:BradmanCigCard.jpg
BradmanCigCard.jpg
File:Bradman 1937.JPG
Bradman 1937.JPG
File:BradmanAllenToss.jpg
BradmanAllenToss.jpg
File:Don Bradman and Stan McCabe.jpg
Don Bradman and Stan McCabe.jpg

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