Don Bradman: News

A tank stand, a stump, and a golf ball - these were the three tools responsible for creating the greatest batsman ever to grace a cricket field. "The Don," aka Donald George Bradman, set standards with his willow that can only be looked at with awe. A child prodigy, Bradman made his first-class debut at the age of 19. His first Test was in a series against England in 1928; although Australia lost, Bradman had made his presence felt. In Australia's return tour to England in 1930, Bradman put on a batting masterclass, including 309* in a day in the Headingley Test. He scored 974 runs (most in a Test series) at an average of 139.14 in the series. In the 1932-33 tour to Australia, the Englishmen devised a plan to hinder "the Don" that was later declared as against the spirit of cricket. The fact that Bradman adjusted to the onslaught by the English bowlers by tweaking his technique is a testament to the great man's immaculate talent and concentration. He later captained the Australian team, too. In the 1948 Oval Test, Bradman played his last innings and ended his career with an average of 99.94!