Quick Facts
Australian Celebrities Born In August
Also Known As: Sir Donald George Bradman, Don Bradman
Died At Age: 92
Family:
Spouse/Ex-: Jessie Martha Menzies
father: George Bradman
mother: Emily Bradman
Cricketers Australian Men
Died on: February 25, 2001
place of death: Kensington Park, Australia
Cause of Death: Pneumonia
Ancestry: English Australian
More Facts
awards: Knight Bachelor – 1949
Companion of the Order of Australia – 1979
Childhood & Early Life
He was born on 27 August 1908, in New South Wales, Australia, as the youngest child of George and Emily Bradman. He had three sisters and one brother.
He loved playing cricket from a young age. Athletic and naturally talented, he even devised a game of solo cricket using a cricket stump for a bat and a golf ball.
He used to play cricket for his school team while studying at Bowral Public School, and scored his first century when he was just 12 years old.
He left school in 1922 and started working for a local real estate agent. Luckily his employer understood Bradman’s passion for cricket and gave him time off whenever he needed.
Career
He made his first-class debut at the Adelaide Oval when he was 19. He marked his entry with a smashing performance with the bat, scoring 118 runs.
He played his first Test match in November 1928 against England. Even though his performance in his test debut was poor he displayed his potential in the third test of the series scoring 79 and 112, and thus becoming the youngest player at the time to make a Test century.
He was chosen to play the 1930 Ashes series against England and hit 131 in the first test match and went on to make 254 runs in the second test. Maintaining his glorious form he hit two centuries, one each in each of the innings in the third test. He made a triple century in the third test and a double century in the fourth and final test. Australia won the Ashes.
During the 1930s when the world was reeling under the Great Depression, Australia’s sporting achievements came as a welcome respite. His popularity soared high during this period.
The 1932-33 Ashes series held in Australia proved to be the toughest series of the Bradman’s career. In order to combat the batting skills of Don Bradman, English captain Douglas Jardine employed ‘Bodyline’ tactics. It involved bowling the cricket ball towards the body of the batsman on the line of the leg stump. The tactic was considered to be intimidatory and physically threatening. The tactic was quite successful in curbing run-making ability of Bradman; his batting average in the series was 56. England won the series.
He performed exceptionally well in the 1938 tour of England. He played 26 innings in this tour and amassed a staggering 13 centuries!
The Second World War ate up the golden period of his career. He joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1940 and was deemed fit for air crew duty. But he was soon transferred to the army and given the rank of Lieutenant. He was posted to the Army School of Physical Training and the physical stress of this job affected his health severely, causing him to be invalided out of service in 1941.
He returned to playing cricket in the mid-1940s and played his final Test at The Oval against England in 1948. As luck could have it, the legendary batsman was out for a duck, ending his test career with an average of 99.94.
Awards & Achievements
Bradman made 6996 runs in 52 Test Matches (80 Innings) at an average of 99.94. He scored 29 test centuries, which was a world record at that time.
Bradman’s record of 974 runs in a series is the most by any player in Test history and it still stands today.
He was made a Knight Bachelor in 1949 in recognition of his services to cricket, becoming the only Australian cricketer to be so honored.
The Australian government awarded him the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), “in recognition of service to the sport of cricket and cricket administration” in 1979.
In 2000 he was voted the greatest cricketer of the 20th century by Wisden Cricket Almanack, decided unanimously by the 100 judges.
Personal Life & Legacy
He met Jessie Martha Menzies in 1920 and married her in 1932 after several years of courtship. She was a pillar of support to him and the couple complemented each other perfectly in their 65-year long marriage.
His personal life was plagued with problems regarding his children. One son died as an infant while another became afflicted with polio. He also had a daughter born with cerebral palsy.
He was very close to his wife and her death in 1997 left him shattered. He died on 25 February 2001, at the age of 92.
Facts About Sir Donald Bradman
Sir Donald Bradman was known for his superstitious habits, including always wearing his lucky red handkerchief while playing.
Bradman was an accomplished pianist and often entertained his teammates with impromptu performances during team gatherings.
He was a devoted family man and often credited his wife, Jessie, for providing him with unwavering support throughout his career.
Bradman had a keen interest in literature and poetry, and was known to recite Shakespearean verses to relax before big matches.
Despite his incredible success on the cricket field, Bradman remained humble and always gave credit to his teammates and coaches for his achievements.
See more:
