Happy Birthday, Sir Don Bradman: On this day in 1908, Sir Don Bradman, the man the needs no introduction in the world of cricket was born.
The most prolific cricketer the game has ever seen gained the improbable title of “Don” of cricket by averaging 99.94 in tests, which was little more than a pipe dream.
Bradman was an Australian cricketer, born in New South Wales, Australia on August 27, 1908. He was a right-handed batter and played for Australia for 20 years. Sir Bradman passed away on February 25, 2001, at the age of 92.
As said, he was one of the most consistent players of his era. Even after 64 years, his test cricket average of 99.94 has not been surpassed, and it is quite doubtful that another batter will do so anytime soon.
Sir Bradman was part of team Australian in 52 games, in which he scored 6996 including 29 test centuries.
Additionally, he amassed 12 double hundreds, which formerly stood as a record. The gifted batter also holds the record for the most runs scored in a test series with 974 runs against England in 1930, the record has stood unchallenged for 92 years.
Sir Don Bradman was the player to accumulate 1000 Test runs in the fewest number of games, doing it in just 7 games (13 innings). At each next milestone, he repeated the feat by amassing 1000 runs in the fewest matches. 2000 runs were achieved in only 15 matches, then 3000 runs in 23 matches, 4000 runs in 31 matches, 5000 runs in 36 matches, and 6000 runs in 45 matches.
Sir Donald Bradman is regarded as the greatest Test batsman of all time. In the past century, no player has been able to match his records and accomplishments in red-ball cricket. More than fifty years after Bradman stopped playing Test cricket, his legacy continues to this day.
In 2001, then Australian Prime minister John Howard, referred to him as the “greatest living Australian.” In 2009, he was honoured with induction into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
