Don Bradman

Sir Donald George Bradman, AC (27 August 1908 – 25 February 2001), nicknamed "The Don", was an Australian international cricketer, widely acknowledged as the greatest batsman of all time .[3] His cricketing successes have been claimed by Shane Warne, among others, to make Bradman the "greatest sportsperson" in history.[4][5][6] Bradman’s career Test batting average of 99.94 is considered by some to be the greatest achievement by any sportsman in any major sport.[7]

Sir

Don Bradman

AC

Bradman in 1930
Personal information
Full name	Donald George Bradman
Born	(1908-08-27)27 August 1908 Cootamundra, New South Wales, Australia
Died	25 February 2001(2001-02-25) (aged 92) Kensington Park, South Australia, Australia
Nickname	The Don, The Boy from Bowral, Braddles, the White Headley
Height	1.70[1][2] m (5 ft 7 in)
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Right-arm leg break
Role	Batsman
Relations	Children: John Bradman and Shirley Bradman (2) Grandchildren: Greta Bradman, Tom Bradman and Nick Bradman (3)
International information
National side	Australia (1928–1948)
Test debut (cap 124)	30 November 1928 v England
Last Test	18 August 1948 v England
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1927/28–1933/34	New South Wales
1935/36–1948/49	South Australia
Career statistics
Competition Test First-class Matches 52 234 Runs scored 6,996 28,067 Batting average 99.94 95.14 100s/50s 29/13 117/69 Top score 334 452* Balls bowled 160 2,114 Wickets 2 36 Bowling average 36.00 37.97 5 wickets in innings 0 0 10 wickets in match 0 0 Best bowling 1/8 3/35 Catches/stumpings 32/– 131/1
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 4 December 2014

Although Bradman's dislike of fame was well-known, his iconic status in Australian society arguably made him the country's "first celebrity".[8]

The story that the young Bradman practised alone with a cricket stump and a golf ball is part of Australian folklore.[9] His meteoric rise from bush cricket to the Australian Test team took just over two years. Before his 22nd birthday, he had set many records for top scoring, some of which still stand, and became Australia's sporting idol at the height of the Great Depression. This hero status grew and continued through World War Two.

During a 20-year playing career, Bradman consistently scored at a level that made him, in the words of former Australia captain Bill Woodfull, "worth three batsmen to Australia".[10] A controversial set of tactics, known as Bodyline, was specially devised by the England team to curb his scoring. As a captain and administrator, Bradman was committed to attacking, entertaining cricket; he drew spectators in record numbers. He hated the constant adulation, however, and it affected how he dealt with others. The focus of attention on Bradman's individual performances strained relationships with some teammates, administrators and journalists, who thought him aloof and wary.[11] Following an enforced hiatus due to the Second World War, he made a dramatic comeback, captaining an Australian team known as "The Invincibles" on a record-breaking unbeaten tour of England.

A complex and highly driven man, not given to close personal relationships,[12] Bradman retained a pre-eminent position in the game by acting as an administrator, selector and writer for three decades following his retirement. Even after he became reclusive in his declining years, Bradman's opinion was highly sought, and his status as a national icon was still recognised. Almost fifty years after his retirement as a Test player, in 1997, Prime Minister John Howard called him the "greatest living Australian".[13] Bradman's image has appeared on postage stamps and coins, and a museum dedicated to his life was opened while he was still living. On the centenary of his birth, 27 August 2008, the Royal Australian Mint issued a $5 commemorative gold coin with Bradman's image.[14] In 2009, he was inducted posthumously as an inaugural member into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.