Don Bradman | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Don Bradman, c. 1930 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 27 August 1908 Cootamundra, New South Wales, Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 25 February 2001 (aged 92) Kensington Park, South Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Military service | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allegiance |  Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Branch/service | Royal Australian Air Force Australian Army | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years of service | 1940–1941 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank |  Lieutenant | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unit | Army School of Physical Training | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Battles/wars | Second World War | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full name | Donald George Bradman | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nickname | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.70[1][2] m (5 ft 7 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting | Right-handed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling | Right-arm leg break | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Role | Batsman | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Relations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National side |
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| 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: ESPNcricinfo, 4 December 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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]
The story that the young Bradman practised alone with a cricket stump and a golf ball is part of Australian folklore.[8] 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 the Second World War.
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".[9] 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.[10] 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,[11] 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".[12] 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.[13] In 2009, he was inducted posthumously as an inaugural member into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
- ^ Lane, Daniel; Swanton, Will (16 December 2007). "All but tall will suffer: Ponting". The Age. Archived from the original on 8 December 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
- ^ Shaw, John (27 February 2001). "Sir Donald Bradman, 92, Cricket Legend, Dies". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
- ^ "Sir Donald Bradman player profile". Cricinfo. Archived from the original on 29 August 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2008.
Sir Donald Bradman of Australia was, beyond any argument, the greatest batsman who ever lived and the greatest cricketer of the 20th century. Only W. G. Grace, in the formative years of the game, even remotely matched his status as a player.
- ^ "Who's the Greatest Sportsperson?". Discover Magazine. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ "The Don's century: Why Bradman reigns as greatest ever sportsman". The Independent. 23 August 2008. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ "Significance magazine - Did Don Bradman's cricketing genius make him a statistical outlier?". www.significancemagazine.com. 5 January 2015. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Bigclaimwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Legislative Assembly of ACT". Hansard. 28 February 2001. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2008.
- ^ "The Sports Factor (transcript)". ABC Radio. 2 March 2001. Archived from the original on 5 February 2008. Retrieved 23 August 2008.
- ^ McGilvray (1986), pp. 20–23.
- ^ Swanton, E. W. (2002). "A Personal Recollection". Wisden. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2007.
- ^ "TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER THE HON. JOHN HOWARD MP LAUNCH OF AUSTRALIA POST AUSTRALIAN LEGENDS STAMP SERIES SYDNEY CRICKET GROUND". Australian Government, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Archived from the original on 28 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ^ "The Don celebrated on commemorative $5 coin". Abc.net.au. 26 August 2008. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2010.