Sir Donald George Bradman
Sir Donald George Bradman, AC (27 August 1908 – 25 February 2001), often referred to as The Don, was an Australian cricketer, widely acknowledged as the greatest batsman of all time. Bradman's career Test batting average of 99.94 has been claimed to be statistically the greatest achievement in any major sport.
The story that the young Bradman practiced alone with a cricket stump and a golf ball is part of Australian folklore. Bradman’s 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 high scoring, some of which still stand, and became Australia's sporting idol at the height of the Great Depression.
A complex, highly-driven man, not given to close personal relationships, 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 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, in 2001, the Australian Prime Minister John Howard called him the "greatest living Australian". Bradman's image has appeared on postage stamps and coins, and he was the first living Australian to have a museum dedicated to his life. On the centenary of his birth, 27 August 2008, the Royal Australian Mint issued a $5 commemorative gold coin with his image.
Bradman, who died in 2001 aged 92 and played his last innings 60 years ago, retired with a Test batting average of 99.94. He was hailed by current Australian captain Ricky Ponting as an incomparable figure in the history of cricket and of sport.
"It's almost like he's separate from the game," Ponting said.
"His name and what he achieved, it's so far out of any player's reach, in his time or any player who has played since, it's almost like he played a different game to what we're playing.
"Is there anyone who's ever played any sport who's been able to achieve that level of greatness?"
Bradman, who died in 2001 aged 92 and played his last innings 60 years ago, retired with a Test batting average of 99.94. He was hailed by current Australian captain Ricky Ponting as an incomparable figure in the history of cricket and of sport.
"It's almost like he's separate from the game," Ponting said.
"His name and what he achieved, it's so far out of any player's reach, in his time or any player who has played since, it's almost like he played a different game to what we're playing.
"Is there anyone who's ever played any sport who's been able to achieve that level of greatness?"
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