August 27 is a special day in cricket as it’s the day when Australian legend Sir Don Bradman was born. August 27, 2019, is the 111th birth anniversary of the Aussie stalwart. The right-handed batsman was an indisputable ruler of the gentleman’s game in the 1930s as he always proved to be a nightmare for the bowlers whenever he stepped into the field. The batsman is arguably the only popular name from that era as his numbers in the longest format of the game are staggering and will go down as one of the best batsmen to have played cricket. Steve Smith vs Don Bradman Records: Ashes Run-Spree Sparks Comparisons Between Australia’s Two Batting Greats.

Bradman played 52 Tests in his career in which he amassed 6996 runs with a whopping average of 99.94. Bradman scored 29 centuries in the process which also includes 12 double hundreds. In an era dominated by the bowler, Don was completely ruthless and his career strike-rate of 71.4 is proof of that. However, the wizard is also infamous for his last innings. Bradman had a great chance to finish the career with an average of 100 when he just needed just four runs in his last innings. However, he got dismissed on a duck which meant his average will remain touch below a hundred. Despite that innings, Bradman’s records are astonishing and every batsman in whites would dream of such numbers. On the former batsman’s 111th birth anniversary, lets’ look at some records which are still owned by Don Bradman. Steve Smith Becomes Second-Fastest Batsman After Don Bradman to Register 25 Test Centuries.

Highest Test Average

The legend bid adieu to cricket in 1948 and even after 61 years, his record is untouched and even no batsman is even close to his numbers. Bradman has a staggering average of 99.94 in Tests, which is likely to be unbroken forever. Bradman’s fellow countryman Steve Smith is in the second spot with an average 63.24 and is nowhere near Bradman’s record.

Fastest to 2000,3000,4000,5000 and 6000 Test runs

The right-handed-batsman is the fastest to reach 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 and 6000 in the longest format of the game. He has had the Midas touch throughout his career and toiled the bowlers whenever he stepped onto the field. The stalwart fell just four runs short of becoming the fastest to score 7000 Test runs as well.

Most Runs in Ashes

The Ashes is considered as Test Cricket’s biggest rivalry and the batting legend has had a terrific record in England vs Australia Tests as well. The right-handed-batsman played 37 matches against England in which he amassed 5028 runs with a terrific average of over 89. His efforts also guided Australia to several Ashes victory.

Quickest to 7th, 8th, 9th till 29th Test Centuries

The legend had a knack for getting big scores and has reached the three-figure mark as many as 29 times in his career. After the first six centuries, Bradman became the fastest to score 7 Test tons. The batsman never looked back after that and scored the fastest 8th and 9th and the tale continued till his 29th Test ton, which was the last of his career.

Most Double Hundred in Tests

The batsman wasn't satisfied even after crossing the 100 run mark and always believed in scoring Daddy Hundreds. Bradman converted 12 of his 29th Test tons to double centuries, which are still the most by any batsman in Test Cricket. Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara came very close to this feat but ended his career after scoring 11 Test double hundreds.

These were some records credited to the legendary Don Bradman. On February 2001, the legend took his last breath and passed away at an age of 92. The batsman inspired a lot of generation to pick up a cricket bat and even today many batsmen idolise him and want to replicate his brilliance in the cricket field. The wizard is not with us today but his name is written in golden letters in the history of cricket.

 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 26, 2019 06:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).