Who was Don Bradman?
Sir Donald Bradman was an Australian cricketer widely regarded as the greatest batter of all time. His Test batting average of 99.94 is far higher than that of any other player in history.
Bradman was born in Cootamundra, New South Wales, in 1908 and grew up in Bowral. As a boy, he practiced by hitting a golf ball against a water tank with a cricket stump, which helped develop his remarkable timing.
He made his Test debut in 1928 and dominated world cricket for two decades. In 52 Tests, he scored 6,996 runs, including 29 centuries.
The famous 99.94
In his final Test innings at The Oval in 1948, Bradman needed just four runs to finish with an average of 100. He was bowled for a duck by Eric Hollies, leaving his average at 99.94.
England's Bodyline tactics in the 1932 and 1933 series were designed largely to stop Bradman. Even then, he averaged more than 56 in that series.
Bradman captained Australia's 1948 team, known as The Invincibles, which went through its tour of England undefeated. He was knighted in 1949 and died in 2001. The Bradman Museum is located in Bowral.
Did You Know?
The ABC's mailing address includes the post office box number 9994 in tribute to Bradman's average.