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Sir Donald Bradman.
27 August is the birth anniversary of the cricketing legend,
Sir Donald George Bradman (1908 -2001).
Often referred to as “The Don”, Bradman was an Australian cricketer, widely acknowledged as the greatest batsman of all time. Bradman’s career Test batting average of 99.94 is among the greatest achievements by any sportsman in any major sport.
Bradman’s meteoric rise from bush cricket to the Australian Test team took just over two years. He had become Australia’s sporting idol at the height of the Great Depression, by the age of 22.
During a 20 year career, Bradman consistently scored at a level that made him, in the words of former Australia captain Bill Woodfull, “worth three batsmen to Australia”.
A controversial set of tactics, known as Bodyline, was specifically 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.
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.
Bradman retained a pre-eminent position in the game by acting as an administrator, selector and writer for three decades, even after retirement.
He became reclusive in his declining years, yet his opinion was highly sought, and his status as a national icon was still recognised more than 50 years after his retirement as a Test player.
Bradman was often called the “greatest living Australian”.
Bradman’s image has appeared on postage stamps and coins, and a museum dedicated to his life was opened while he was still alive. On the centenary of his birth, 27 August 2008, the Royal Australian Mint issued a $5 commemorative gold coin with Bradman’s image.
In 2009, he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
– Joy Kallivayalil.
