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{{Short description|Australian cricketer (1908–2001)}}
{{Redirect|Bradman|other uses|Bradman (disambiguation)|and|Don Bradman (disambiguation)}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2013}}
{{Infobox cricketer
| honorific_prefix = Sir
| name = Don Bradman
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|size=100%|country=AUS|AC}}
| image = Don Bradman 1930.jpg
| caption = Bradman in 1930
| fullname = Donald George Bradman
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1908|8|27|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Cootamundra]], New South Wales, Australia
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2001|2|25|1908|8|27|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[Kensington Park, South Australia]]
| nickname = {{cslist|The Don|The Boy from Bowral|Braddles|the White [[George Headley|Headley]]}}
| heightm = 1.70<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/all-but-tall-will-suffer-ponting-20071216-ge6ikm.html|title=All but tall will suffer: Ponting|newspaper=The Age|date=16 December 2007|access-date=8 December 2019|first1=Daniel|last1=Lane|first2=Will|last2=Swanton|archive-date=8 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208145755/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/all-but-tall-will-suffer-ponting-20071216-ge6ikm.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/27/sports/sir-donald-bradman-92-cricket-legend-dies.html|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=8 December 2019|date=27 February 2001|first1=John|last1=Shaw|title=Sir Donald Bradman, 92, Cricket Legend, Dies|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112015733/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/27/sports/sir-donald-bradman-92-cricket-legend-dies.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| batting = Right-handed
| bowling = Right-arm [[leg spin|leg break]]
| role = [[Batting (cricket)|Batsman]]
| international = true
| internationalspan = 1928–1948
| country = Australia
| testdebutdate = 30 November
| testdebutyear = 1928
| testdebutagainst = England
| testcap = 124
| lasttestdate = 18 August
| lasttestyear = 1948
| lasttestagainst = England
| club1 = [[New South Wales cricket team|New South Wales]]
| year1 = {{nowrap|1927/28–1933/34}}
| club2 = [[Southern Redbacks|South Australia]]
| year2 = {{nowrap|1935/36–1948/49}}
| columns = 2
| column1 = [[Test cricket|Test]]
| column2 = [[First-class cricket|First-class]]
| matches1 = 52
| matches2 = 234
| runs1 = 6,996
| runs2 = 28,067
| bat avg1 = 99.94
| bat avg2 = 95.14
| 100s/50s1 = 29/13
| 100s/50s2 = 117/69
| top score1 = 334
| top score2 = 452[[not out|*]]
| deliveries1 = 160
| deliveries2 = 2,114
| wickets1 = 2
| wickets2 = 36
| bowl avg1 = 36.00
| bowl avg2 = 37.97
| fivefor1 = 0
| fivefor2 = 0
| tenfor1 = 0
| tenfor2 = 0
| best bowling1 = 1/8
| best bowling2 = 3/35
| catches/stumpings1 = 32/–
| catches/stumpings2 = 131/1
| source = http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/4188.html ESPNcricinfo
| date = 4 December
| year = 2014
|family={{cslist|2 children, including [[John Bradman|John]] 
|3 grandchildren, including [[Greta Bradman|Greta]] |semi=true}}
}}
'''Sir Donald George Bradman''' {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|AC}} (27 August 1908 – 25 February 2001), nicknamed "'''The Don'''", was an Australian international [[cricket]]er, <!-- "widely acknowledged" is a term that results from a great deal of discussion. Please do not change it unilaterally. See Talk. -->widely acknowledged as the greatest  [[batsman]] of all time.<ref name=Cricinfo1>{{cite web |url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/australia/content/player/4188.html |work=Cricinfo |title=Sir Donald Bradman player profile |quote=Sir Donald Bradman of Australia was, beyond any argument, the greatest  batsman who ever lived and the greatest cricketer of the 20th century. Only [[W. G. Grace]], in the formative years of the game, even remotely matched his status as a player. |access-date=18 May 2008 |archive-date=29 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829072637/http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/4188.html |url-status=live }}</ref> His cricketing successes have been claimed by [[Shane Warne]], among others, to make Bradman the "greatest sportsperson" in history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who's the Greatest Sportsperson? |url=https://www.discovermagazine.com/mind/whos-the-greatest-sportsperson |access-date=27 April 2023 |website=Discover Magazine |language=en |archive-date=27 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427155252/https://www.discovermagazine.com/mind/whos-the-greatest-sportsperson |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 August 2008 |title=The Don's century: Why Bradman reigns as greatest ever sportsman |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/the-don-s-century-why-bradman-reigns-as-greatest-ever-sportsman-907108.html |access-date=27 April 2023 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=27 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427155251/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/the-don-s-century-why-bradman-reigns-as-greatest-ever-sportsman-907108.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Significance magazine - Did Don Bradman's cricketing genius make him a statistical outlier? |url=https://www.significancemagazine.com/sports/24-did-don-bradman-s-cricketing-genius-make-him-a-statistical-outlier |access-date=27 April 2023 |website=www.significancemagazine.com |date=5 January 2015 |language=en-gb |archive-date=27 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427155253/https://www.significancemagazine.com/sports/24-did-don-bradman-s-cricketing-genius-make-him-a-statistical-outlier |url-status=live }}</ref> Bradman's career [[Test cricket|Test]] [[batting average (cricket)|batting average]] of 99.94 is considered by some to be the greatest achievement by any sportsman in any major sport.<ref name="Bigclaim" /> 

Although Bradman reportedly disliked fame, his iconic status made him one of Australia's best-known personalities and arguably the country's "first celebrity".<ref>{{Citation |title=Don Bradman - Reflections on the Legend - 2004 - Cricket Documenatry |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnsESQ3ZwG8 |access-date=29 April 2023 |language=en |archive-date=29 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429111003/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnsESQ3ZwG8 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The story that the young Bradman practised alone with a [[stump (cricket)|cricket stump]] and a golf ball is part of [[Australian folklore]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hansard.act.gov.au/hansard/2001/week02/351.htm |date=28 February 2001 |title=Legislative Assembly of ACT |work=Hansard |access-date=23 August 2008 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924024941/http://www.hansard.act.gov.au/hansard/2001/week02/351.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> His meteoric rise from [[The bush|bush]] cricket to the [[Australian national cricket team|Australian]] Test team took just over two years. Before his 22nd birthday, he had set many records for top scoring, some of which still stand, and became Australia's sporting idol at the height of the [[Great Depression in Australia|Great Depression]]. This hero status grew and continued through the [[Second World War]].

During a 20-year playing career, Bradman consistently scored at a level that made him, in the words of former Australia captain [[Bill Woodfull]], "worth three batsmen to Australia".<ref name=Sportsfactor>{{cite web| url = http://www.abc.net.au/rn/sportsfactor/stories/2001/253062.htm | work = ABC Radio | title = The Sports Factor (transcript) | date = 2 March 2001 | access-date = 23 August 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080205083438/http://www.abc.net.au/rn/sportsfactor/stories/2001/253062.htm | archive-date = 5 February 2008}}</ref> A controversial set of tactics, known as [[Bodyline]], was specially devised by the [[England cricket team|England]] team to curb his scoring. As a captain and administrator, Bradman was committed to attacking, entertaining cricket; he drew spectators in record numbers. He hated the constant adulation, however, and it affected how he dealt with others. The focus of attention on Bradman's individual performances strained relationships with some teammates, administrators and journalists, who thought him aloof and wary.<ref>McGilvray (1986), pp. 20–23.</ref> Following an enforced hiatus due to the Second World War, he made a dramatic comeback, captaining an Australian team known as "[[Australian cricket team in England in 1948|The Invincibles]]" on a record-breaking unbeaten tour of England. 

A complex and highly driven man, not given to close personal relationships,<ref name=Swanton>{{cite web
| url = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154364.html
| work = Wisden
| year = 2002
| title = A Personal Recollection
| last = Swanton
| first = E. W.
| access-date = 3 August 2007
| archive-date = 12 October 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121012085232/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154364.html
| url-status = live
}}</ref> 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, Bradman's opinion was highly sought, and his status as a national icon was still recognised. Almost fifty years after his retirement as a Test player, in 1997, Prime Minister [[John Howard]] called him the "greatest living Australian".<ref>{{cite web |title=TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER THE HON. JOHN HOWARD MP LAUNCH OF AUSTRALIA POST AUSTRALIAN LEGENDS STAMP SERIES SYDNEY CRICKET GROUND |url=http://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-10216 |publisher=Australian Government, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet |access-date=27 August 2018 |archive-date=28 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828035605/http://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-10216 |url-status=live }}</ref> Bradman's image has appeared on postage stamps and coins, and [[International Cricket Hall of Fame|a museum]] dedicated to his life was opened while he was still living. On the centenary of his birth, 27 August 2008, the [[Royal Australian Mint]] issued a $5 commemorative gold coin with Bradman's image.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/26/2346701.htm |title=The Don celebrated on commemorative $5 coin |publisher=Abc.net.au |date=26 August 2008 |access-date=21 August 2010 |archive-date=10 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110003732/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-08-26/the-don-celebrated-on-commemorative-5-coin/488986 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2009, he was inducted posthumously as an inaugural member into the [[ICC Cricket Hall of Fame]].

==Early years==
[[File:SirDonaldBradmansBirthplaceCootamundra.jpg|left|thumb|Bradman's birthplace at [[Cootamundra]] is now a museum]]
Donald George Bradman was the youngest son of George and Emily (née Whatman) Bradman, and was born on 27 August 1908 at [[Cootamundra]], [[New South Wales]] (NSW).<ref name="Birth">{{cite web|url=http://www.bradman.org.au/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?id=112&nav_cat_id=131&nav_top_id=56|title=Donald George Bradman|work=Bradman Museum|access-date=23 August 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070901163342/http://www.bradman.org.au/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?id=112&nav_cat_id=131&nav_top_id=56| archive-date = 1 September 2007}}</ref> He had a brother, Victor, and three sisters {{ndash}} Islet, Lilian and Elizabeth May.<ref name="Birth"/> 

Bradman was of English heritage on both sides of his family. His grandfather Charles Andrew Bradman had left [[Withersfield]], [[Suffolk]], for Australia.<ref>[http://www.cootamundra.nsw.gov.au/f.ashx/11311-bradman.pdf Grandparents of Sir Donald Bradman:] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202032940/http://www.cootamundra.nsw.gov.au/f.ashx/11311-bradman.pdf |date=2 December 2020 }} – cootamindra.nsw.gov.au</ref> In 1930, when he [[Australian cricket team in England in 1930|played at]] [[Cambridgeshire|Cambridge]] during his first tour of England, 21-year-old Bradman took the opportunity to trace his forebears in the region.<ref>[http://horseheath.info/Archive%20PDFs/The%20Village/Families%20part%201.pdf Sir DONALD BRADMAN] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231132414/http://horseheath.info/Archive%20PDFs/The%20Village/Families%20part%201.pdf |date=31 December 2016 }} – LINKS WITH WITHERSFIELD, HAVERHILL AND HORSEHEATH</ref> Bradman was also partly of Italian lineage; one of his great-grandfathers had been one of the first Italians to migrate to Australia in 1826.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/bradmans-italian-heritage-revealed/story-e6frea83-1111113044165 |title=Bradman's Italian heritage revealed |website=Adelaidenow.com.au |access-date=25 January 2016 |date=22 February 2007 |archive-date=7 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207210847/http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/bradmans-italian-heritage-revealed/story-e6frea83-1111113044165 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 

Bradman's parents lived in the hamlet of [[Yeo Yeo]], near [[Stockinbingal]]. His mother, Emily, gave birth to him at the Cootamundra home of Granny Scholz, a [[midwife]], which is now the Bradman Birthplace Museum. Bradman's mother had hailed from [[Mittagong]] in the [[Southern Highlands (New South Wales)|NSW Southern Highlands]] and in 1911, when Bradman was about two-and-a-half years old, his parents decided to relocate to [[Bowral]], close to Emily's family and friends in Mittagong, as life at Yeo Yeo was proving difficult.<ref name="Birth"/><ref>
[http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/country-nsw/wagga-wagga-area/cootamundra/attractions/bradmans-birthplace-cootamundra VisitNSW] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325144648/http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/country-nsw/wagga-wagga-area/cootamundra/attractions/bradmans-birthplace-cootamundra |date=25 March 2014 }}. Retrieved 25 June 2014
</ref><ref>
[http://www.bradmantrail.com.au/story_6.php The Bradman Trail] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719121133/http://bradmantrail.com.au/story_6.php |date=19 July 2008 }}. Retrieved 25 June 2014
</ref> Emily, who bowled [[Left-arm orthodox spin|left-arm spin]], played in the women's intercolonial cricket competition between the main states in 1890s.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 October 2022 |title=In the 1930s, these women brought hope and rivalry back to Australia's oldest sporting relationship |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-30/australian-female-cricketers-1930s-saved-sporting-relationships/101578098 |access-date=31 October 2022 |archive-date=31 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031072450/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-30/australian-female-cricketers-1930s-saved-sporting-relationships/101578098 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Bradman practised [[batting (cricket)|batting]] incessantly during his youth. He invented his own solo cricket game, using a [[stump (cricket)|cricket stump]] for a [[cricket bat|bat]] and a golf ball.<ref>A stump is considerably narrower than a bat; the diameter of a golf ball is similarly smaller than that of a cricket ball.</ref> A water tank, mounted on a curved brick stand, stood on a paved area behind the family home. When hit into the curved brick facing of the stand, the ball rebounded at high speed and varying angles—and Bradman would attempt to hit it again. This form of practice developed his timing and reactions to a high degree.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bradmantrail.com.au/story_4.php|title=The Boy in Bowral (1911–1924)|work=Bradman Foundation|access-date=27 June 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719121642/http://bradmantrail.com.au/story_4.php|archive-date=19 July 2008}}</ref> In more formal cricket, Bradman hit his first [[century (cricket)|century]] at the age of 12, with an undefeated 115<ref name=TelOb>{{cite news|title=Obituaries – Sir Donald Bradman|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1324263/Sir-Donald-Bradman.html|access-date=5 August 2014|work=[[The Telegraph (UK)|The Telegraph]]|publisher=Telegraph Media Group|date=27 February 2001|archive-date=12 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812093132/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1324263/Sir-Donald-Bradman.html|url-status=live}}</ref> playing for Bowral Public School against Mittagong High School.<ref name=Foundation>{{cite web|url=http://www.bradman.org.au/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?id=112&nav_cat_id=131&nav_top_id=56&view=&history=1&gback=home&dsa=0 |title= Bradman Foundation: Biography |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080206122400/http://www.bradman.org.au/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?id=112&nav_cat_id=131&nav_top_id=56&view=&history=1&gback=home&dsa=0 |archive-date=6 February 2008}} Bradman Museum. Retrieved on 21 August 2007.</ref>

===Bush cricketer===
During the 1920–21 season, Bradman acted as [[scoring (cricket)|scorer]] for the local Bowral team, captained by his uncle George Whatman. In October 1920, he filled in when the team was one man short, scoring 37[[not out|*]] and 29* on debut. During the season, Bradman's father took him to the [[Sydney Cricket Ground]] (SCG) to watch [[English cricket team in Australia in 1920–21#Test series summary|the fifth]] [[The Ashes|Ashes]] [[Test cricket|Test match]]. On that day, Bradman formed an ambition, telling his father: "I shall never be satisfied until I play on this ground."<ref>Perry (1995), p. 24.</ref> Bradman left school in 1922 and went to work for a local real estate agent who encouraged his sporting pursuits by giving him time off when necessary. He gave up cricket in favour of [[tennis]] for two years but resumed playing cricket in 1925–26.<ref name="BDLEssay">{{cite web|url=http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/bradman/bio-page.htm |title=Bradman Digital Library: Essay by Michael Page |last=Page |first=Michael |year=1984 |work=Pan Macmillan Australia Pty Ltd |access-date=23 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620035506/http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/bradman/bio-page.htm |archive-date=20 June 2008 }}</ref>

[[File:Bradman c.1928.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Bradman in 1928]]
Bradman became a regular selection for the Bowral team; several outstanding performances earned him the attention of [[Sydney]] newspapers. Competing on [[Cricket pitch|matting-over-concrete pitches]], Bowral played other rural towns in the [[Berrima, New South Wales|Berrima District]] competition. Against [[Wingello, New South Wales|Wingello]], a team that included the future Test [[Bowler (cricket)|bowler]] [[Bill O'Reilly (cricketer)|Bill O'Reilly]], Bradman made 234.<ref name=Sportsfactor/><ref name="B320">Page (1983), pp. 21–23.</ref> In the competition final against [[Moss Vale, New South Wales|Moss Vale]], which extended over five consecutive Saturdays, Bradman scored 320 not out.<ref name=Foundation/> 

During the following Australian winter (1926), the ageing [[Australian cricket team in England in 1926|Australian team]] lost The Ashes in England, and a number of Test players retired.<ref>Harte (1993), pp. 300–302.</ref> The [[New South Wales Cricket Association]] began a hunt for new talent. Mindful of Bradman's big scores for Bowral, the association wrote to him, requesting his attendance at a practice session in Sydney. He was subsequently chosen for the "Country Week" tournaments at both cricket and tennis, to be played during separate weeks. Bradman's boss presented him with an [[ultimatum]]: he could have only one week away from work, and therefore had to choose between the two sports.<ref name=BDLEssay/> He chose cricket.

Bradman's performances during Country Week resulted in an invitation to play [[Sydney Grade Cricket|grade cricket]] in Sydney for [[St George Cricket Club|St George]] in the 1926–27 season. He scored 110 on his debut, making his first century on a [[cricket pitch|turf pitch]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stgeorgecricket.com.au/files/270/files/stgeorge_history2.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.stgeorgecricket.com.au/files/270/files/stgeorge_history2.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live|title=St George District Cricket Club|work=St George District Cricket Club Inc|access-date=23 May 2008}}</ref> On 1 January 1927, Bradman turned out for the NSW second team. For the remainder of the season, he travelled the {{convert|130|km|mi}} from Bowral to Sydney every Saturday to play for St George.<ref name="B320"/>

===First-class debut===
The next season continued the rapid rise of the "Boy from Bowral".<ref name=Foundation/> Selected to replace the unfit [[Archie Jackson]] in the [[New South Wales cricket team|NSW team]], Bradman made his [[First-class cricket|first-class]] debut at the [[Adelaide Oval]], aged 19. He secured the achievement of a hundred on debut, with an innings of 118 featuring what soon became his trademarks—fast footwork, calm confidence and rapid scoring.<ref>Robinson (1981), p. 138.</ref> In the final match of the season, he made his first century at the SCG, against the [[Sheffield Shield]] champions [[Victorian Bushrangers|Victoria]]. Despite his potential, Bradman was not chosen for the Australian second team to tour New Zealand.<ref>Bradman (1950), p. 25.</ref>

Bradman decided that his chances for Test selection would be improved by moving to Sydney for the 1928–29 season, when [[England cricket team|England]] were to [[English cricket team in Australia in 1928–29|tour in defence of the Ashes]]. Initially, he continued working in real estate, but later took a promotions job with the [[sporting goods]] retailer Mick Simmons Ltd. In the first match of the Sheffield Shield season, he scored a century in each innings against [[Queensland Bulls|Queensland]]. He followed this with scores of 87 and 132 not out against the England touring team, and was rewarded with selection for the first Test, to be played at [[Brisbane Cricket Ground|Brisbane]].<ref name=BDLEssay/>

==Test career==
[[File:Bradman chaired.jpg|upright|thumb|Bradman is chaired off the ground by his opponents after scoring 452.]]
Playing in only his tenth first-class match, Bradman, nicknamed "Braddles" by his teammates,<ref name="Braddles">{{cite web| url = http://www.bradman.org.au/html/s03_faq/faqItem.asp?id=427| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070901134518/http://www.bradman.org.au/html/s03_faq/faqItem.asp?id=427| archive-date=1 September 2007| title = FAQs| work = Bradman Museum| access-date = 23 August 2008}}</ref> found his initial Test a harsh learning experience. Caught on a [[sticky wicket]], Australia were all out for 66 in the second innings and lost by 675&nbsp;runs (still a Test record).<ref>{{cite web| url = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151729.html| year = 1930| work = Wisden| title = 1st Test Australia v England, match report| access-date = 7 August 2007| archive-date = 7 July 2012| archive-url = https://archive.today/20120707042525/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151729.html| url-status = live}}</ref> Following scores of 18 and 1, the selectors dropped Bradman to [[List of cricket terms#T|twelfth man]] for the Second Test. An injury to [[Bill Ponsford]] early in the match required Bradman to field as substitute while England amassed 636, following their 863 runs in the First Test. [[Richard Whitington|RS "Dick" Whitington]] wrote, "...&nbsp;he had scored only nineteen himself and these experiences appear to have provided him with food for thought".<ref>Whitington (1974), p. 142.</ref> Recalled for the Third Test at the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]], Bradman scored 79 and 112 to become the youngest player to make a Test century,<ref>Whitington (1974), p. 147. This record was broken in the next Test when Australia's Archie Jackson hit 164 on debut at Adelaide.</ref> although the match was still lost. Another loss followed in the Fourth Test. Bradman reached 58 in the second innings and appeared set to guide the team to victory when he was [[run out]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151732.html| work = Wisden| year = 1930| title = 4th Test Australia v England, match report| access-date = 21 August 2007| archive-date = 10 July 2012| archive-url = https://archive.today/20120710090150/http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151732.html| url-status = live}}</ref> It was to be the only run out of his Test career. The losing margin was just twelve runs.<ref>Bradman (1950). See appendix.</ref>
[[File:Donald Bradman Sam Hood 1932 (retouched).jpg|thumb|upright|Bradman with his [[William Sykes (businessman)|Wm. Sykes]] bat, in the early 1930s. The "Don Bradman Autograph" bat is still manufactured today by Sykes' successor company, [[Slazenger]].]]

The improving Australians did manage to win the Fifth and final Test. Bradman top-scored with 123 in the first innings and was at the wicket in the second innings when his captain, [[Jack Ryder (cricketer)|Jack Ryder]], hit the winning runs. Bradman completed the season with 1,690 first-class runs, [[Batting average (cricket)|averaging]] 93.88,<ref name=Robertson/> and his first multiple century in a Sheffield Shield match, not out against Victoria, set a new ground record for the SCG.<ref>Bradman (1950), p. 29.</ref> Bradman averaged 113.28 in 1929–30.<ref name=Robertson/> In a trial match to select the team that would tour England, he was last man out in the first innings for 124. As his team [[Follow-on|followed on]], the skipper [[Bill Woodfull]] asked Bradman to keep the [[Cricket clothing and equipment|pads]] on and open the second innings. By the end of play, he was 205 not out, on his way to 225. Against Queensland at the SCG, Bradman set a then world record for first-class cricket by scoring 452 not out;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/94177.html |title=Most running in a first class innings |access-date=15 January 2012 |archive-date=30 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130070749/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/94177.html |url-status=live }}</ref> he made his runs in only 415 minutes.<ref name=BDLEssay/> Not long after the feat, he recalled:

{{quote|On 434...I had a curious intuition...I seemed to sense that the ball would be a short-pitched one on the leg-stump, and I could almost feel myself getting ready to make my shot before the ball was delivered. Sure enough, it pitched exactly where I had anticipated, and, hooking it to the square-leg boundary, I established the only record upon which I had set my heart.<ref name="Quoted in Haigh 2008">Quoted in Haigh 2008.</ref>}}

Although he was an obvious selection to tour England, Bradman's unorthodox style raised doubts that he could succeed on the slower English pitches. [[Percy Fender]] wrote:<ref>Quoted by Page (1983), p. 49.</ref>

{{quote|...he will always be in the category of the brilliant, if unsound, ones. Promise there is in Bradman in plenty, though watching him does not inspire one with any confidence that he desires to take the only course which will lead him to a fulfilment of that promise. He makes a mistake, then makes it again and again; he does not correct it, or look as if he were trying to do so. He seems to live for the exuberance of the moment.}}

The encomiums were not confined to his batting gifts; nor did the criticism extend to his character. "Australia has unearthed a champion", said former Australian Test great [[Clem Hill]], "self-taught, with natural ability. But most important of all, with his heart in the right place."<ref name="Quoted in Haigh 2008"/> Selector Dick Jones weighed in with the observation that it was "good to watch him talking to an old player, listening attentively to everything that is said and then replying with a modest 'thank you'."<ref name="Quoted in Haigh 2008"/>

===1930 tour of England===
England were favourites to win the 1930 Ashes series,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151736.html | work = Wisden | year = 1931 | title = Notes by the Editor | access-date = 14 May 2008 | archive-date = 22 July 2012 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120722165735/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151736.html | url-status = live }}</ref> and if the Australians were to exceed expectations their young batsmen, Bradman and Jackson, needed to prosper. With his elegant batting technique, Jackson appeared the brighter prospect of the pair.<ref>{{Cite news| url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/article1008503.ece?token=null&offset=0 |work = [[The Times]] | title = Forgotten genius | access-date = 23 August 2008 | location=London | date=1 February 2004 | first1=Charles | last1=Bremner | first2=David | last2=Robertson}}</ref> However, Bradman began the tour with 236 at [[New Road, Worcester|Worcester]] and went on to score [[1,000 first-class runs before the end of May|1,000&nbsp;first-class runs by the end of May]], the fifth player (and first Australian) to achieve this rare feat.<ref>Page (1983), p. 361.</ref> In his first Test appearance in England, Bradman hit 131 in the second innings but England won the match. His batting reached a new level in the Second Test at [[Lord's Cricket Ground|Lord's]] where he scored 254 as Australia won and levelled the series. Later in life, Bradman rated this the best innings of his career as "practically without exception every ball went where it was intended to go".<ref name="CricinfoLords">{{cite web|url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/136590.html|title=Bradman's best: Speed without haste, risk without recklessness|last=Haigh|first=Gideon|work=Inside Edge|access-date=23 May 2008|archive-date=13 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013213811/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/136590.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack|Wisden]]'' noted Bradman's fast footwork and how he hit the ball "all round the wicket with power and accuracy", as well as faultless concentration in keeping the ball on the ground.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151743.html|title=Second Test match: England v Australia 1930|year=1931|work=Wisden|access-date=23 May 2008|archive-date=8 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708040319/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151743.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In terms of runs scored, this performance was soon surpassed. In the Third Test, at [[Headingley Cricket Ground|Headingley]], Bradman scored a century before lunch on 11 July, the first day of the Test match to equal the performances of [[Victor Trumper]] and [[Charlie Macartney]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283003.html| work = Cricinfo| title = Hundred before lunch| access-date = 23 August 2008| archive-date = 8 August 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080808042607/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283003.html| url-status = live}}</ref> In the afternoon, Bradman added another century between lunch and tea, before finishing the day on 309 not out. He remains the only Test player to pass 300 in one day's play.<ref>{{cite web| url =http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/284225.html| work =Cricinfo| title =Most runs in a day| access-date =7 August 2007| archive-date =12 October 2007| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20071012213603/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/284225.html| url-status =live}}</ref> His eventual score of 334 was a world-record, exceeding the previous mark of 325 by [[Andy Sandham]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://content-www.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/134344.html | title = The progression of the record&nbsp;– The highest score in Test cricket | work = Cricinfo | last = Lynch | first = Steven | date = 12 April 2004 | access-date = 23 August 2008 | archive-date = 23 January 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090123141447/http://content-www.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/134344.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Bradman dominated the Australian innings; the second-highest tally was 77 by [[Alan Kippax]]. Businessman Arthur Whitelaw later presented Bradman with a cheque for £1,000 in appreciation of his achievement.<ref>Eason (2004), p. 336. Whitelaw gave each of the other Australian players an ashtray.</ref> The match ended in anti-climax as poor weather prevented a result, as it also did in the Fourth Test.

[[File:Aus1930Team.jpg|right|thumb|Bradman (second from the right, middle row) with the 1930 team]]
In the deciding Test at [[The Oval]], England made 405. During an innings stretching over three days due to intermittent rain, Bradman made yet another multiple century, this time 232, which helped give Australia a big lead of 290 runs. In a crucial [[List of cricket terms#P|partnership]] with Jackson, Bradman battled through a difficult session when England [[Fast bowling|fast bowler]] [[Harold Larwood]] bowled [[short pitched bowling|short]] on a pitch enlivened by the rain. ''Wisden'' gave this period of play only a passing mention:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151746.html|title=Fifth Test Match: England v Australia 1930|year=1931|work=Wisden|access-date=23 May 2008|archive-date=8 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708060750/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151746.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{quote|On the Wednesday morning the ball flew about a good deal, both batsmen frequently being hit on the body...on more than one occasion each player cocked the ball up dangerously but always, as it happened, just wide of the fieldsmen.}}

A number of English players and commentators noted Bradman's discomfort in playing the [[Bouncer (cricket)|short, rising delivery]].<ref name=Sportsfactor/> The revelation came too late for this particular match, but was to have immense significance in the next Ashes series. Australia won the match by an innings and regained the Ashes. 

The victory made an impact in Australia. With the economy sliding toward [[Great Depression in Australia|depression]] and unemployment rapidly rising, the country found solace in sporting triumph. The story of a self-taught 22-year-old from [[the bush]] who set a series of records against the old rival made Bradman a national hero.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Cricket/The-coming-of-Our-Don/2005/06/03/1117568373323.html|title=The coming of 'Our Don'|last=Steen|first=Rob|date=4 June 2005|work=The Age|access-date=23 August 2008|location=Melbourne|archive-date=6 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080206075623/http://www.theage.com.au/news/Cricket/The-coming-of-Our-Don/2005/06/03/1117568373323.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The statistics he achieved on the tour, especially in the Test matches, broke records for the day and some have stood the test of time. In all, Bradman scored 974&nbsp;runs at an average of 139.14 during the Test series, with four centuries, including two double hundreds and a triple.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/static/in_depth/cricket/2001/ashes/legends/bradman.stm|title=Sir Donald Bradman (1908–2001)|work=[[BBC Sport]]|access-date=23 May 2008|archive-date=5 March 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040305064641/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/static/in_depth/cricket/2001/ashes/legends/bradman.stm|url-status=dead}}</ref> As of 2022, no-one has matched or exceeded 974 runs or three double centuries in one Test series; the record of 974 runs exceeds the second-best performance by 69 runs and was achieved in two fewer innings.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=runs;template=results;tournament_type=2;type=batting;view=series| title = Test Matches&nbsp;— Most runs in a series| access-date = 25 July 2022| work = Cricinfo| archive-date = 20 August 2022| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220820165709/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=runs;template=results;tournament_type=2;type=batting;view=series| url-status = live}}</ref> Bradman's first-class tally, 2,960&nbsp;runs (at an average of 98.66 with 10&nbsp;centuries), was another enduring record: the most by any overseas batsman on a tour of England.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bradmantrail.com.au/timelineText.php|title=Timeline|year=2006|work=The Bradman Foundation|access-date=28 May 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513220734/http://www.bradmantrail.com.au/timelineText.php|archive-date=13 May 2008}}</ref>

On the tour, the dynamic nature of Bradman's batting contrasted sharply with his quiet, solitary off-field demeanour. He was described as aloof from his teammates and he did not offer to buy them a round of drinks, let alone share the money given to him by Whitelaw.<ref name=Swanton/> He spent a lot of his free time alone, writing, as he had sold the rights to a book. On his return to Australia, Bradman was surprised by the intensity of his reception; he became a "reluctant hero".<ref name=Swanton/> Mick Simmons wanted to cash in on their employee's newly won fame, asking Bradman to leave his teammates and attend official receptions they organised in [[Adelaide]], [[Melbourne]], [[Goulburn, New South Wales|Goulburn]], his hometown of Bowral and Sydney, where he received a brand new custom-built [[Chevrolet]]. At each stop, Bradman received a level of adulation that "embarrassed" him. This focus on individual accomplishment, in a team game, "...&nbsp;permanently damaged relationships with his contemporaries".<ref name=Swanton/> 

Commenting on Australia's victory, the team's vice-captain [[Vic Richardson]] said, "...we could have played any team without Bradman, but we could not have played the blind school without [[Clarrie Grimmett]]".<ref>Harte (1993), p. 327.</ref> A modest Bradman can be heard in a 1930 recording saying, "I have always endeavoured to do my best for the side, and the few centuries that have come my way have been achieved in the hope of winning matches. My one idea when going into bat was to make runs for Australia."<ref name="Don Bradman on australianscreen online">{{cite web|url=http://aso.gov.au/titles/spoken-word/1930-australian-xi-ashes/|title=Don Bradman in 'The 1930 Australian XI: Winners of the Ashes' on australianscreen online|access-date=23 February 2011|archive-date=1 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201123853/http://aso.gov.au/titles/spoken-word/1930-australian-xi-ashes/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Reluctant hero===
[[File:BradmanWedding.jpg|thumb|Hundreds of onlookers gather as the Bradmans leave the church after their wedding ceremony at St Paul's Church, Burwood, 30 April 1932.]] 
In 1930–31, against the first [[West Indies cricket team|West Indian side]] to visit Australia, Bradman's scoring was more sedate than in England—although he did make 223 in 297 minutes in the Third Test at [[Brisbane]] and 152 in 154 minutes in the following Test at Melbourne.<ref>Cashman et al. (1996), p. 573.</ref> However, he scored quickly in a very successful sequence of innings against [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]] in the Australian summer of 1931–32. For NSW against the tourists, he made 30, 135 and 219. In the Test matches, he scored {{nowrap|226 (277 minutes)}}, {{nowrap|112 (155 minutes)}}, 2 and {{nowrap|167 (183 minutes)}}; his 299 not out in the Fourth Test, at Adelaide, set a new record for the highest score in a Test in Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/155212.html|title=South African team in Australia and New Zealand 1931–32|year=1933|work=Wisden|access-date=23 May 2008|archive-date=13 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713103552/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/155212.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/208504.html|title=Test matches: Most runs in an innings|work=Cricinfo|access-date=23 May 2008|archive-date=5 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305135707/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/208504.html|url-status=live}} The record was beaten by [[Bob Cowper]], who scored 307 in 1965–66.</ref> Australia won nine of the ten Tests played over the two series.

At this point, Bradman had played fifteen Test matches since the beginning of 1930, scoring 2,227 runs at an average of 131.<ref name="30to32">{{cite web | url = http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/4188.html?class=1;spanmax2=1+May+1932;spanmin2=1+Jan+1930;spanval2=span;template=results;type=batting;view=innings | title = DG Bradman&nbsp;— Test matches&nbsp;– Batting analysis | work = Cricinfo | access-date = 27 April 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120923201151/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/4188.html?class=1%3Bspanmax2%3D1+May+1932%3Bspanmin2%3D1+Jan+1930%3Bspanval2%3Dspan%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dbatting%3Bview%3Dinnings | archive-date = 23 September 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> He had played eighteen innings, scoring ten centuries, six of which had extended beyond 200.<ref name="30to32"/> His overall scoring rate was 42 runs per hour,<ref name="Teleg">{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1324263/Sir-Donald-Bradman.html|title=Sir Donald Bradman|date=22 November 2001|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=23 August 2008|location=London|archive-date=25 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100225153350/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1324263/Sir-Donald-Bradman.html|url-status=live}}</ref> with 856 (or 38.5% of his tally) scored in boundaries.<ref name="30to32"/> Significantly, he had not hit a [[six (cricket)|six]],<ref name="30to32"/> which typified Bradman's attitude: if he hit the ball along the ground, then it could not be caught. During this phase of his career, his youth and natural fitness allowed him to adopt a "machine-like" approach to batting. The South African fast bowler [[Sandy Bell]] described bowling to him as, "heart-breaking&nbsp;... with his sort of cynical grin, which rather reminds one of the Sphinx&nbsp;... he never seems to perspire".<ref name=CWilliams>Williams (1996), pp. 78–81.</ref>

Between these two seasons, Bradman seriously contemplated playing professional cricket in England with the [[Lancashire League (cricket)|Lancashire League]] club [[Accrington Cricket Club|Accrington]], a move that, according to the rules of the day, would have ended his Test career.<ref name=BDLEssay/> A consortium of three Sydney businesses offered an alternative. They devised a two-year contract whereby Bradman wrote for Associated Newspapers, broadcast on Radio [[2UE]] and promoted the menswear retailing chain FJ Palmer and Son.<ref name=BDLEssay/> However, the contract increased Bradman's dependence on his public profile, making it more difficult to maintain the privacy that he ardently desired.<ref name=CWilliams/>

In a second-class fixture in November 1931, Bradman scored 100 off 22 balls in a three over spell in a match for Blackheath against Lithgow.  Bradman's score of 256 included 14 sixes and 29 fours (notably hitting more sixes in this one innings than he hit in his entire first class career).<ref>{{cite book|last=Bradman|first=Don|title=Farewell to cricket, p. 50|year=1950|publisher=Pavilion Books Limited (1988 ediition)|location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Bradman hits up 256|page=1|work=The Canberra Times|date=4 November 1931|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2258578|via=Trove|access-date=15 August 2023|archive-date=15 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815171852/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2258578|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Bradman's 100 off 3 overs!|page=3|work=The Advocate (Burnie)|date=14 January 1932|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/67901810|via=Trove|access-date=15 August 2023|archive-date=15 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815171853/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/67901810|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bradman's chaotic wedding to Jessie Menzies in April 1932 epitomised these new and unwelcome intrusions into his private life. The church "was under siege all throughout the day... uninvited guests stood on chairs and pews to get a better view"; police erected barriers that were broken down and many of those invited could not get a seat.<ref name=CWilliams/> Just weeks later, Bradman joined a private team organised by [[Arthur Mailey]] to tour the United States and Canada.<ref>{{YouTube|AZU_9OHFD9g|View The Australians in Toronto (featuring Sir Donald Bradman) online}}</ref> He travelled with his wife, and the couple treated the trip as a [[honeymoon]]. Playing 51 games in 75 days, Bradman scored 3,779 runs at 102.1, with eighteen centuries. Although the standard of play was not high, the effects of the amount of cricket Bradman had played in the three previous years, together with the strains of his celebrity status, began to show on his return home.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/310792.html | work = Cricinfo | title = When the Don met the Babe | access-date = 23 August 2008 | date = 15 September 2007 | archive-date = 12 October 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071012213633/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/310792.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
{{Clear}}

===Bodyline===
{{See also|Bodyline}}
{{Quote box
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 | source = ''News Chronicle'', London<ref>Quoted by Harte (1993), p. 327. The rules of English billiards were changed to limit the prodigious breaks of Australian [[Walter Lindrum]].</ref>
 | width  =35%
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}}
Within the [[Marylebone Cricket Club]] (MCC), which administered English cricket at the time, few voices were more influential than [[Plum Warner|"Plum" Warner]]'s, who, when considering England's response to Bradman, wrote that it "must evolve a new type of bowler and develop fresh ideas and strange tactics to curb his almost uncanny skill". To that end, Warner orchestrated the appointment of [[Douglas Jardine]] as England captain in 1931, as a prelude to Jardine leading the 1932–33 tour to Australia, with Warner as team manager.<ref>Frith (2002), pp. 40–41.</ref> Remembering that Bradman had struggled against [[Bouncer (cricket)|bouncers]] during his 232 at The Oval in 1930, Jardine decided to combine traditional [[leg theory]] with short-pitched bowling to combat Bradman. He settled on the [[Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club|Nottinghamshire]] fast bowlers [[Harold Larwood]] and [[Bill Voce]] as the spearheads for his tactics. In support, the England selectors chose another three pacemen for the squad. The unusually high number of fast bowlers caused a lot of comment in both countries and roused Bradman's own suspicions.<ref name=Foundation/>

Bradman had other problems to deal with at this time; among these were bouts of illness from an undiagnosed malaise which had begun during the tour of North America,<ref name="SydneySun">Williams (1996), pp. 90–91.</ref> and that the [[Cricket Australia|Australian Board of Control]] had initially refused permission for him to write a column for the Sydney ''[[The Sun (Sydney)|Sun]]'' newspaper.<ref name="SydneySun"/> Bradman, who had signed a two-year contract with the ''Sun'', threatened to withdraw from cricket to honour his contract when the board denied him permission to write; eventually, the paper released Bradman from the contract, in a victory for the board.<ref name="SydneySun"/> In three first-class games against England before the Tests, Bradman averaged just 17.16 in six innings.<ref>Bradman (1950), p. 60.</ref> Jardine decided to give the new tactics a trial in only one game, a fixture against an Australian XI at Melbourne. In this match, Bradman faced the leg theory and later warned local administrators that trouble was brewing if it continued.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://content-www.cricinfo.com/bodyline/content/story/316186.html | title = Bodyline quotes | access-date = 25 April 2008 | work = Cricinfo | last = Williamson | first = Martin | date = 19 October 2007 | archive-date = 5 January 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080105215601/http://content-www.cricinfo.com/bodyline/content/story/316186.html | url-status = live }}</ref> He withdrew from the First Test at the SCG amid rumours that he had suffered a [[nervous breakdown]]. Despite his absence, England employed what were already becoming known as the Bodyline tactics against the Australian batsmen and won an ill-tempered match.<ref name=BDLEssay/>

[[File:BradmanDuck32-33.jpg|left|thumb|The famous [[Duck (cricket)|duck]]: Bradman bowled by Bowes at the MCG, in front of a world record crowd assembled to see Bradman defeat Bodyline]]
The public clamoured for the return of Bradman to defeat Bodyline: "he was the batsman who could conquer this cankerous bowling... 'Bradmania', amounting almost to religious fervour, demanded his return".<ref>Whitington (1974), p. 170.</ref> Recovered from his indisposition, Bradman returned to the side in Kippax's position. A world record crowd of 63,993 at the MCG saw Bradman come to the [[crease (cricket)|crease]] on the first day of the Second Test with the score at 2/67. A standing ovation ensued that delayed play for several minutes.<ref>Williams (1996), pp. 97–98.</ref> Bradman anticipated receiving a bouncer as his first ball and, as the bowler delivered, he moved across his [[stumps]] to play the [[Batting (cricket)|hook shot]]. The ball failed to rise and Bradman dragged it onto his [[stumps]]; the [[Golden duck (cricket)|first-ball duck]] was his first in a Test. The crowd fell into stunned silence as he walked off. However, Australia took a first innings lead in the match, and another record crowd on 2 January 1933 watched Bradman hit a counter-attacking second innings century. His unbeaten 103 (from 146 balls) in a team total of 191 helped set England a target of 251 to win. Bill O'Reilly and [[Bert Ironmonger]] bowled Australia to a series-levelling victory amid hopes that Bodyline was beaten.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151780.html| work = Wisden| year = 1934| title = 2nd Test Australia v England, match report| access-date = 21 August 2007| archive-date = 9 July 2012| archive-url = https://archive.today/20120709190754/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151780.html| url-status = live}}</ref>

The [[Third Test, 1932–33 Ashes series|Third Test]] at the Adelaide Oval proved pivotal. There were angry crowd scenes after the Australian captain Bill Woodfull and [[wicket-keeper]] [[Bert Oldfield]] were hit by bouncers. An apologetic Warner entered the Australian dressing room and was rebuked by Woodfull. Woodfull's remarks (that "...there are two teams out there and only one of them is playing cricket") were [[Adelaide leak|leaked]] to the press, and Warner and others attributed this to Australian opening batsman [[Jack Fingleton]]; however, for many years (even after Fingleton's death) a bitter war of accusation passed between Fingleton and Bradman as to who was the real source of the leak. In a cable to the MCC, the Australian Board of Control repeated the allegation of poor sportsmanship directed at Warner by Woodfull.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/02/10/1076388365237.html?from=storyrhs|title=Bodyline consumed two nations|last=Roebuck|first=Peter|date=11 February 2004|work=[[The Age]]|access-date=23 August 2008|location=Melbourne|archive-date=6 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080206053901/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/02/10/1076388365237.html?from=storyrhs|url-status=live}}</ref> 

With the support of the MCC, England continued with Bodyline despite Australian protests. The tourists won the last three Tests convincingly and regained the Ashes. Bradman caused controversy with his own tactics. Always seeking to score, and with the leg side packed with fielders, he often backed away and hit the ball into the vacant half of the outfield with unorthodox shots reminiscent of tennis or [[golf]].<ref>Williams (1996), p. 99.</ref> This brought him 396 runs ([[batting average (cricket)|at]] 56.57) for the series and plaudits for attempting to find a solution to Bodyline, although his series average was just 57% of his career mean. Fingleton was in no doubt that Bradman's game altered irrevocably as a consequence of Bodyline, writing:<ref>Fingleton (1949), p. 198.</ref>
{{quote|Bodyline was specially prepared, nurtured for and expended on him and, in consequence, his technique underwent a change quicker than might have been the case with the passage of time. Bodyline plucked something vibrant from his art.}}

The constant glare of celebrity and the tribulations of the season forced Bradman to reappraise his life outside the game and to seek a career away from his cricketing fame.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Haigh|first=Gideon|title=Sir Donald Bradman at 100|magazine=The Monthly|date=August 2008|url=https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2008/august/1239686713/gideon-haigh/sir-donald-bradman-100|access-date=28 July 2017|archive-date=28 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728202537/https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2008/august/1239686713/gideon-haigh/sir-donald-bradman-100|url-status=live}}</ref> Harry Hodgetts, a [[South Australia]]n delegate to the Board of Control, offered Bradman work as a stockbroker if he would relocate to Adelaide and captain the [[Southern Redbacks|South Australia]] team (SA). Unknown to the public, the SA Cricket Association (SACA) instigated Hodgetts' approach and subsidised Bradman's wage.<ref>Harte (1993), pp. 352–353.</ref> Although his wife was hesitant about moving, Bradman eventually agreed to the deal in February 1934.<ref>Williams (1996), pp. 119–120.</ref>
{{Clear}}

===Declining health and a brush with death===
In his farewell season for NSW, Bradman averaged 132.44, his best yet.<ref name=Robertson/> He was appointed vice-captain for the [[Australian cricket team in England in 1934|1934 tour of England]]. However, "he was unwell for much of the [English] summer, and reports in newspapers hinted that he was suffering from heart trouble".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/252260.html | work = Cricinfo | title = Call back the medics | access-date = 23 August 2008 | date = 4 July 2006 | archive-date = 23 February 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080223001123/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/252260.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Although he again started with a double century at [[Worcester, England|Worcester]], his famed concentration soon deserted him. ''Wisden'' wrote:<ref name=1935wis>{{cite web | url = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151790.html | title = The Australian team in England, 1934 | last = Southerton | first = S. J. | year = 1935 | work = Wisden | access-date = 25 April 2008 | archive-date = 7 July 2012 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120707195803/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151790.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
{{quote|...there were many occasions on which he was out to wild strokes. Indeed at one period he created the impression that, to some extent, he had lost control of himself and went in to bat with an almost complete disregard for anything in the shape of a defensive stroke.}}
[[File:BradmanCigCard.jpg|right|upright|thumb|Cigarette card distributed during the 1934 Ashes series]]

At one stage, Bradman went thirteen first-class innings without a century, the longest such spell of his career,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/cgi-bin/player_oracle_reveals_results2.cgi?playernumber=492&playername=Bradm&playernameexact=&displayplayername=DG%20Bradman&team=&teamexact=&opponent=&opponentexact=&captain=&wicketkeeper=&homeawaytype=All&matchtype=All&resulttype=All&starts&searchtype=InningsList&startscore=&endscore=&startwicket=&endwicket=&branding=cricketarchive|title=Player Oracle Reveals Results, DG Bradman|work=Cricket Archive|access-date=19 May 2008|archive-date=16 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116191002/http://www.cricketarchive.com/cgi-bin/player_oracle_reveals_results2.cgi?playernumber=492&playername=Bradm&playernameexact=&displayplayername=DG%20Bradman&team=&teamexact=&opponent=&opponentexact=&captain=&wicketkeeper=&homeawaytype=All&matchtype=All&resulttype=All&starts&searchtype=InningsList&startscore=&endscore=&startwicket=&endwicket=&branding=cricketarchive|url-status=live}}</ref> prompting suggestions that Bodyline had eroded his confidence and altered his technique.<ref name=1935wis/> After three Tests, the series was locked up 1–1, and Bradman had scored 133 runs in five innings. The Australians travelled to [[Bramall Lane|Sheffield]] and played a warm-up game before the Fourth Test. Bradman started slowly and then, "...the old Bradman [was] back with us, in the twinkling of an eye, almost".<ref>Williams (1996), p. 131.</ref> He went on to make 140, with the last 90 runs coming in just 45 minutes. On the opening day of the Fourth Test at Headingley (Leeds), England were out for 200, but Australia slumped to 3/39, losing the third wicket from the last ball of the day.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/212770.html | work = Cricinfo | title = Ponsford, Bradman and the spin triplets | access-date = 23 August 2008 | date = 6 July 2005 | archive-date = 12 October 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071012213438/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/212770.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Listed to bat at number five, Bradman would start his innings the next day.

That evening, Bradman declined an invitation to dinner from [[Neville Cardus]], telling the journalist that he wanted an early night because the team needed him to make a double century the next day. Cardus pointed out that his previous innings on the ground was 334, and the [[law of averages]] was against another such score. Bradman told Cardus, "I don't believe in the law of averages".<ref>Rosenwater (1978), p. 229.</ref> In the event, Bradman batted all of the second day and into the third, putting on a then world record partnership of 388 with Bill Ponsford.<ref name="partners">{{cite web | url = http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283573.html | work = Cricinfo | access-date = 13 May 2008 | title = Test matches&nbsp;— Highest partnerships for any wicket | archive-date = 8 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090208210947/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283573.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>The previous mark had been 323, set in 1912.</ref> When he was finally out for 304 (473 balls, 43 fours and two sixes), Australia had a lead of 350 runs, but rain prevented them from forcing a victory. The effort of the lengthy innings stretched Bradman's reserves of energy, and he did not play again until the Fifth Test at The Oval, the match that would decide the Ashes.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151794.html | work = Wisden | year = 1935 | title = 4th Test England v Australia, match report | access-date = 21 August 2007 | archive-date = 7 July 2012 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120707210044/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151794.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

In the first innings at The Oval, Bradman and Ponsford recorded an even more massive partnership, this time 451 runs. It had taken them less than a month to break the record they had set at Headingley; this new world record was to last 57 years.<ref name="partners"/> Bradman's share of the stand was 244 from 271 balls, and the Australian total of 701 set up victory by 562 runs. For the fourth time in five series, the Ashes changed hands.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151795.html | work = Wisden | year = 1935 | title = 5th Test England v Australia, match report | access-date = 21 August 2007 | archive-date = 10 July 2012 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120710061843/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151795.html | url-status = live }}</ref> England would not recover them again until after Bradman's retirement.

Seemingly restored to full health, Bradman blazed two centuries in the last two games of the tour. However, when he returned to [[London]] to prepare for the trip home, he experienced severe abdominal pain. It took a doctor more than 24 hours to diagnose acute [[appendicitis]] and a surgeon operated immediately. Bradman lost a lot of blood during the four-hour procedure and [[peritonitis]] set in. Penicillin and [[Sulfonamide (medicine)|sulphonamides]] were still experimental treatments at this time; peritonitis was usually a fatal condition.<ref name=Williams1>Williams (1996), pp. 136–37.</ref> On 25 September, the hospital issued a statement that Bradman was struggling for his life and that blood donors were needed urgently.<ref name=OReilly>O'Reilly (1985), p. 139.</ref>

"The effect of the announcement was little short of spectacular".<ref name=Williams1/> The hospital could not deal with the number of donors and closed its switchboard in the face of the avalanche of telephone calls generated by the news. Journalists were asked by their editors to prepare [[obituary|obituaries]]. O'Reilly took a call from [[George V|King George V's]] secretary asking that the King be kept informed of the situation.<ref name=OReilly/> Bradman's wife started the month-long journey to London as soon as she received the news. En route, she heard a rumour that her husband had died.<ref name=Williams1/> A telephone call clarified the situation and by the time she reached London, Bradman had begun a slow recovery. He followed medical advice to convalesce, taking several months to return to Australia and missing the 1934–35 Australian season.<ref name=BDLEssay/>

===Internal politics and the Test captaincy===
[[File:Bradman 1937.JPG|right|thumb|upright|Bradman walking out to bat in the Third Test against England at the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]] in 1937. His 270&nbsp;runs won the match for Australia and has been rated the greatest innings of all time.]]
There was off-field intrigue in Australian cricket during the antipodean winter of 1935. Australia, scheduled to make a tour of South Africa at the end of the year, needed to replace the retired Woodfull as captain. The Board of Control wanted Bradman to lead the team, yet, on 8 August, the board announced his withdrawal from the team due to a lack of fitness. Surprisingly, in the light of this announcement, Bradman led the South Australian team in a full programme of matches that season.<ref name=Bradman9497>Bradman (1950), pp. 94–97.</ref>

The captaincy was given to [[Vic Richardson]], Bradman's predecessor as South Australian captain.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/7346.html | title = Vic Richardson&nbsp;– player profile | work = Cricinfo | access-date = 17 June 2008 | archive-date = 24 April 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080424135743/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/7346.html | url-status = live }} Richardson's record in fourteen Tests was 622 runs at 24.88. Against South Africa, he made 84 runs in five innings.</ref> Cricket author Chris Harte's analysis of the situation is that a prior (unspecified) commercial agreement forced Bradman to remain in Australia.<ref>Harte (1993), p. 360.</ref> Harte attributed an ulterior motive to his relocation: the off-field behaviour of Richardson and other South Australian players had displeased the SACA, which was looking for new leadership. To help improve discipline, Bradman became a committeeman of the SACA, and a selector of the South Australian and Australian teams.<ref>Harte (1993), p. 352.</ref> He took his adopted state to its first Sheffield Shield title for ten years, Bradman weighing in with personal contributions of 233 against Queensland and 357 against Victoria. He finished the season with 369 (in 233&nbsp;minutes), a South Australian record, made against [[Tasmanian Tigers|Tasmania]]. The bowler who dismissed him, [[Reginald Townley]], would later become leader of the [[Liberal Party of Australia (Tasmanian Division)|Tasmanian Liberal Party]].<ref name=Bradman9497/>

Australia defeated South Africa 4–0 and senior players such as O'Reilly were pointed in their comments about the enjoyment of playing under Richardson's captaincy.<ref>O'Reilly (1985), pp. 144–145.</ref> A group of players who were openly hostile toward Bradman formed during the tour. For some, the prospect of playing under Bradman was daunting, as was the knowledge that he would additionally be sitting in judgement of their abilities in his role as a selector.<ref name=Williams148>Williams (1996), p. 148.</ref>

To start the new season, the Test side played a "Rest of Australia" team, captained by Bradman, at Sydney in early October 1936. The Test [[Cricket team|XI]] suffered a big defeat, due to Bradman's 212 and a haul of 12 wickets taken by leg-spinner [[Frank Ward (cricketer, born 1906)|Frank Ward]].<ref>Harte (1993), p. 369.</ref> Bradman let the members of the Test team know that despite their recent success, the team still required improvement.<ref name=Williams148/> Shortly afterwards, his first child was born on 28 October, but died the next day. He took time out of cricket for two weeks and on his return made 192 in three hours against Victoria in the last match before the beginning of the Ashes series.

The Test selectors made five changes to the team who had played in the previous Test match. Significantly, Australia's most successful bowler, Clarrie Grimmett, was replaced by Ward, one of four players making their debut. Bradman's role in Grimmett's omission from the team was controversial and it became a theme that dogged Bradman as Grimmett continued to be prolific in domestic cricket while his successors were ineffective—he was regarded as having finished the veteran bowler's Test career in a political purge.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/5443.html | work = Cricinfo | title = Clarrie Grimmett player profile | access-date = 23 August 2008 | archive-date = 11 October 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081011004609/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/5443.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

[[File:BradmanAllenToss.jpg|left|upright|thumb|Bradman and England captain [[Gubby Allen]] [[Toss (cricket)|toss]] at the start of the [[1936–37 Ashes series]]. The five Tests drew more than 950,000&nbsp;spectators including a world record 350,534 to the Third Test at Melbourne.]]
Australia fell to successive defeats in the opening two Tests, Bradman making two [[Duck (cricket)|ducks]] in his four innings,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62641.html|title=England tour of Australia, 1st Test: Australia v England at Brisbane, Dec 4–9, 1936|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=29 May 2017|archive-date=26 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226134538/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62641.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="19362ndTest">{{cite web | url = http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1930S/1936-37/ENG_IN_AUS/ENG_AUS_T2_18-22DEC1936.html | work = Cricinfo | title = 2nd Test Scorecard, 18–22&nbsp;December 1936 | access-date = 14 May 2008 | archive-date = 18 February 2006 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060218064355/http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1930S/1936-37/ENG_IN_AUS/ENG_AUS_T2_18-22DEC1936.html | url-status = live }}</ref> and it seemed that the captaincy was affecting his form.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2013/may/09/20-great-ashes-moments-don-bradman|title=20 great Ashes moments No4: Don Bradman records Wisden's best innings, 1937|last=Bull|first=Andy|date=9 May 2013|work=The Guardian|location=London|access-date=29 May 2017|archive-date=8 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208122419/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2013/may/09/20-great-ashes-moments-don-bradman|url-status=live}}</ref> The selectors made another four changes to the team for the Third Test at [[Melbourne Cricket Ground|Melbourne]].

Bradman won the toss on New Year's Day 1937, but again failed with the bat, scoring just 13. The Australians could not take advantage of a [[Cricket pitch|pitch]] that favoured batting, and finished the day at 6/181. On the second day, rain dramatically altered the course of the game. With the sun drying the pitch (in those days, covers could not be used during matches) Bradman [[Declaration and forfeiture|declared]] to get England in to bat while the pitch was "[[Sticky wicket|sticky]]"; England also declared to get Australia back in, conceding a lead of 124. Bradman countered by reversing his [[batting order (cricket)|batting order]] to protect his run-makers while conditions improved. The ploy worked and Bradman went in at number seven. In an innings spread over three days, he battled influenza while scoring 270 off 375&nbsp;balls, sharing a record partnership of 346 with [[Jack Fingleton]],<ref>{{cite web | url = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154078.html | work = Wisden | year = 1938 | title = 3rd Test Australia v England, match report | access-date = 22 August 2007 | archive-date = 31 October 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231031220054/https://wisden.com/ | url-status = live }}</ref> and Australia went on to victory. In 2001, ''Wisden'' rated this performance as the best Test match innings of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/india/content/story/101983.html|title=Laxman, Kumble in Wisden's top ten list|date=26 July 2001|work=Cricinfo|access-date=23 August 2008|archive-date=16 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716202414/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/india/content/story/101983.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The next Test, at the [[Adelaide Oval]], was fairly even until Bradman played another patient second innings, making 212 from 395 balls. Australia levelled the series when the erratic<ref>{{cite web | url = http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62644.html | work = Wisden | year = 1937 | title = The Ashes – 4th Test Australia v England | access-date = 19 June 2008 | archive-date = 11 July 2012 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120711003737/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62644.html | url-status = live }}</ref> [[Spin bowling|left-arm spinner]] [[Leslie Fleetwood-Smith|"Chuck" Fleetwood-Smith]] bowled Australia to victory. In the series-deciding Fifth Test, Bradman returned to a more aggressive style in top-scoring with 169 (off 191&nbsp;balls) in Australia's 604 and Australia won by an innings.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154075.html | work = Wisden | year = 1938 | title = 5th Test Australia v England, match report | access-date = 22 August 2007 | archive-date = 13 October 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121013214328/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154075.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Australia's achievement of winning a Test series after outright losses in the first two matches has never been repeated in Test cricket.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/328843.html | work = Cricinfo | access-date = 26 April 2008 | title = Test matches&nbsp;— Winning a series after coming from behind | archive-date = 1 April 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080401083259/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/328843.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

===End of an era===
During the 1938 tour of England, Bradman played the most consistent cricket of his career.<ref name=1939Wis>{{cite web|url=http://content-www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/155217.html?from=login|title=The Australian team in England 1938|work=Wisden|year=1939|access-date=15 May 2008|last=Wilfrid|first=Brookes|archive-date=2 January 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102102248/http://content-www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/155217.html?from=login|url-status=live}}</ref>
He needed to score heavily as England had a strengthened batting line-up, while the Australian [[Bowling (cricket)|bowling]] was over-reliant on O'Reilly.<ref name=1939Wis/> Grimmett was overlooked, but [[Jack Fingleton]] made the team, so the clique of anti-Bradman players remained.<ref name=Swanton/> Playing 26&nbsp;[[innings]] on tour, Bradman recorded 13&nbsp;centuries (a new Australian record) and again made 1,000&nbsp;[[First-class cricket|first-class]] runs before the end of May, becoming the only player to do so twice.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesonline.typepad.com/line_and_length/2006/05/the_hunt_for_10.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723004119/http://timesonline.typepad.com/line_and_length/2006/05/the_hunt_for_10.html|archive-date=23 July 2008|title=The hunt for 1,000|last=Kidd|first=Patrick|date=9 May 2006|work=[[The Times]]|access-date=23 August 2008}}</ref> In scoring 2,429&nbsp;runs, Bradman achieved the highest average ever recorded in an English season: 115.66.<ref name=1939Wis/>
[[File:Don Bradman and Stan McCabe.jpg|thumb|Bradman (left, with his vice-captain Stan McCabe) walks out to bat at Perth, during a preliminary match to the 1938 tour of England. Bradman scored 102.]]

In the First Test, England amassed a big first innings score and looked likely to win, but [[Stan McCabe]] made 232 for Australia, a performance Bradman rated as the best he had ever seen. With Australia forced to [[follow-on]], Bradman fought hard to ensure McCabe's effort was not in vain, and he secured the draw with 144 not out.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1930S/1938/AUS_IN_ENG/AUS_ENG_T1_10-14JUN1938.html|title=The Ashes, 1938, 1st Test|work=Cricinfo|access-date=20 June 2008|archive-date=24 June 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060624045556/http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1930S/1938/AUS_IN_ENG/AUS_ENG_T1_10-14JUN1938.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It was the slowest Test hundred of his career and he played a similar innings of 102 not out in the next Test as Australia struggled to another draw.<ref>{{cite web| url =http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1930S/1938/AUS_IN_ENG/AUS_ENG_T2_24-28JUN1938.html| work =Cricinfo| title =2nd Test, 24–28&nbsp;June 1938| access-date =14 May 2008| archive-date =18 February 2006| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20060218063827/http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1930S/1938/AUS_IN_ENG/AUS_ENG_T2_24-28JUN1938.html| url-status =live}}</ref> Rain completely washed out the Third Test at [[Old Trafford Cricket Ground|Old Trafford]].<ref name="ThirdTest1938">{{cite web| year = 1938| url = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151851.html| title = Third Test match: England v Australia 1938| work = Wisden| access-date = 14 May 2008| archive-date = 2 January 2013| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130102140915/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151851.html| url-status = live}}</ref>

Australia's opportunity came at Headingley, a Test described by Bradman as the best he ever played in.<ref name=Bradman1>Bradman (1950), pp. 115–118.</ref> England batted first and made 223. During the Australian innings, Bradman backed himself by opting to bat on in poor light conditions, reasoning that Australia could score more runs in bad light on a good pitch than on a rain affected pitch in good light, when he had the option to go off.<ref name=1939test4/> He scored 103 out of a total of 242 and the gamble paid off, as it meant there was sufficient time to push for victory when an England collapse left them a target of only 107 to win. Australia slumped to 4/61, with Bradman out for 16. An approaching storm threatened to wash the game out, but the poor weather held off and Australia managed to secure the win, a victory that retained the Ashes.<ref name=1939test4>{{cite web| url = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151852.html| work = Wisden| year = 1939| title = 4th Test England v Australia, match report| access-date = 8 August 2007| archive-date = 31 October 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231031220054/https://wisden.com/| url-status = live}}</ref> For the only time in his life, the tension of the occasion got to Bradman and he could not watch the closing stages of play, a reflection of the pressure that he felt all tour: he described the captaincy as "exhausting" and said he "found it difficult to keep going".<ref name=Bradman1/>

The euphoria of securing the Ashes preceded Australia's heaviest defeat. At [[The Oval]], England amassed a world record of 7/903 and their opening batsman [[Len Hutton]] scored an individual world record, by making 364.<ref name=1939test5/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/134344.html|title=The highest score in Test cricket|last=Lynch|first=Steven|date=12 April 2004|work=Cricinfo|access-date=23 August 2008|archive-date=11 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711085214/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/134344.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In an attempt to relieve the burden on his bowlers, Bradman took a rare turn at bowling. During his third [[Over (cricket)|over]], he [[Bone fracture|fractured]] his ankle and teammates carried him from the ground.<ref name=1939test5>{{cite web| url =http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151853.html| work =Wisden | year = 1939 | title = 5th Test England v Australia, match report |access-date = 22 August 2007}}</ref> With Bradman injured and Fingleton unable to bat because of a leg muscle strain,<ref name=1939test5/><ref>Bradman (1950), p. 108.</ref> Australia were thrashed by an innings and 579&nbsp;runs, which remains the largest margin in Test cricket history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/210099.html|work=Cricinfo|title=Largest margin of victory (by an innings)|access-date=5 December 2007|archive-date=11 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711032259/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/210099.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Unfit to complete the tour, Bradman left the team in the hands of vice-captain Stan McCabe. At this point, Bradman felt that the burden of captaincy would prevent him from touring England again, although he did not make his doubts public.<ref name=Bradman1/>

Despite the pressure of captaincy, Bradman's batting form remained supreme. An experienced, mature player now commonly called "The Don" had replaced the blitzing style of his early days as the "Boy from Bowral".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/sportsf/stories/s689981.htm|title=Football in the Age of Instability (transcript)|date=4 October 2002|work=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|access-date=23 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080205083443/http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/sportsf/stories/s689981.htm|archive-date=5 February 2008}}</ref> In 1938–39, he led [[Southern Redbacks|South Australia]] to the [[Sheffield Shield]] and made a century in six consecutive innings to equal [[CB Fry]]'s world record.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/282971.html| work = Cricinfo| title = Hundreds in consecutive innings| access-date = 23 August 2008| archive-date = 5 October 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081005082956/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/282971.html| url-status = live}}</ref> Bradman totalled 21&nbsp;first-class centuries in 34&nbsp;innings, from the beginning of the 1938 tour of England (including preliminary games in Australia) until early 1939.

The next season, Bradman made an abortive bid to join the [[Victoria cricket team|Victoria state side]]. The [[Melbourne Cricket Club]] advertised the position of club secretary and he was led to believe that if he applied, he would get the job.<ref>Dunstan (1988), p. 172.</ref> The position, which had been held by [[Hugh Trumble]] until his death in August 1938, was one of the most prestigious jobs in Australian cricket. The annual salary of £1,000 would make Bradman financially secure while allowing him to retain a connection with the game.<ref name="MCCSecretary">Williams (1996), pp. 182–183. "Nevertheless, the Secretaryship of the Melbourne Cricket Club was, and indeed, still is one of the most attractive jobs in the world of Australian cricket&nbsp;..."</ref> On 18 January 1939, the club's committee, on the casting vote of the chairman, chose former Test batsman [[Vernon Ransford]] over Bradman.<ref name="MCCSecretary"/><ref>Coleman (1993) pp. 425–426.</ref>

In August 1939, Bradman won the South Australian squash championships, beating Australian Davis Cup tennis player Don Turnbull in the final.  Turnbull won the first two games in the best of five game contest and led 8-3 in the third game with five match points, but Bradman won the game and the fourth.  Turnbull led 8-5 in the fifth game but Bradman went on to win.<ref>{{cite news|title=Squash rackets|page=13|work=The West Australian (Perth)|date=19 August 1939|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/46418042|via=Trove|access-date=15 August 2023|archive-date=15 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815155824/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/46418042|url-status=live}}</ref>

The 1939–40 season was Bradman's most productive ever for SA: 1,448&nbsp;runs at an average of 144.8.<ref name=Robertson/> He made three double centuries, including 251 not out against NSW, the innings that he rated the best he ever played in the Sheffield Shield, as he tamed Bill O'Reilly at the height of his form.<ref>Bradman (1950), p. 120.</ref> However, it was the end of an era. The outbreak of World War II led to the indefinite postponement of all cricket tours, and the suspension of the Sheffield Shield competition.<ref>Harte (1993), pp. 382–383.</ref>

===Troubled war years===
{{Infobox military person
| name          = Donald Bradman
| image         = 
| image_size    = 
| alt           = 
| caption       = 
| allegiance    = Australia
| branch        = {{nowrap|[[Royal Australian Air Force]] (1940–41)}}<br/>[[Australian Army]] (1941)
| serviceyears  = 1940–1941
| rank          = [[Lieutenant]]
| servicenumber = S1388
| unit          = Army School of Physical Training
| battles       = [[Second World War]]
}}

[[File:Donald Bradman australian cricket player pic.JPG|thumb|left|upright|Bradman's high backlift and lengthy forward stride were [[#Batting technique|characteristic]].]]
Bradman joined the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF) on 28 June 1940 and was passed fit for [[Aircrew member|air crew duty]].<ref name="RAAF">Williams (1996), p. 187.</ref> The RAAF had more recruits than it could equip and train and Bradman spent four months in [[Adelaide]] before the Governor-General of Australia, [[Alexander Hore-Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie|Lord Gowrie]], persuaded Bradman to transfer to the army, a move that was criticised as a safer option for him.<ref name=Swanton/> Given the rank of [[Australian Defence Force ranks and insignia|lieutenant]], he was posted to the Army School of Physical Training at [[Frankston, Victoria]], to act as a divisional supervisor of physical training. The exertion of the job aggravated his chronic muscular problems, diagnosed as [[Fibromyalgia|fibrositis]]. Surprisingly, in light of his batting prowess, a routine army test revealed that Bradman had poor eyesight.<ref>Page (1983), pp. 266–267.</ref>

Invalided out of service in June 1941, Bradman spent months recuperating, unable even to shave himself or comb his hair due to the extent of the muscular pain he suffered. He resumed stockbroking during 1942. In his biography of Bradman, [[Charles Williams, Baron Williams of Elvel|Charles Williams]] expounded the theory that the physical problems were psychosomatic, induced by stress and possibly depression; Bradman read the book's manuscript and did not disagree.<ref>Eason (2004), p. 61.</ref> Had any cricket been played at this time, he would not have been available. Although he found some relief in 1945 when referred to the [[Melbourne, Victoria|Melbourne]] masseur Ern Saunders, Bradman permanently lost the feeling in the thumb and index finger of his (dominant) right hand.<ref>Bradman (1950), p. 122.</ref>

In June 1945, Bradman faced a financial crisis when the firm of Harry Hodgetts collapsed due to fraud and embezzlement.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=29&objectid=229894|title=Cricket: 'The Don' accused of underarm tactics in financial scandal |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=24 November 2001|access-date=23 August 2008|first=Richard|last=Boock}}
</ref> Bradman moved quickly to set up his own business, utilising Hodgetts' client list and his old office in Grenfell Street, Adelaide. The fallout led to a prison term for Hodgetts, and left a stigma attached to Bradman's name in the city's business community for many years.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hutchins|first=Brett|title=Don Bradman: Challenging the Myth|pages=155–156|quote=The question within Adelaide business circles ever since has been whether Bradman, who was second in charge of the firm and Hodgetts' friend, had prior knowledge of the impending collapse. [These]&nbsp;... dubious circumstances&nbsp;... led to resentment towards Bradman among&nbsp;... the Adelaide Exchange that is said to still linger today.}}</ref>

However, the SA Cricket Association had no hesitation in appointing Bradman as their delegate to the [[Cricket Australia|Board of Control]] in place of Hodgetts. Now working alongside some of the men he had battled in the 1930s, Bradman quickly became a leading light in the administration of the game. With the resumption of international cricket, he was once more appointed a Test selector, and played a major role in planning for post-war cricket.<ref>Harte (1992), pp. 392–393.</ref>

==="The ghost of a once-great cricketer"===
[[File:Bradman Barnes 234.jpg|thumb|Bradman and Barnes leave the field for an adjournment as both head towards 234.]]
[[File:Don Bradman 1946-10-31.jpg|thumb|Bradman during an interstate series at Adelaide Oval, 31 October 1946.]]
In 1945–46, Bradman suffered regular bouts of fibrositis while coming to terms with increased administrative duties and the establishment of his business.<ref>Page (1983), pp. 271–272.</ref> He played for [[South Australia cricket team|South Australia]] in two matches to help with the re-establishment of first-class cricket and later described his batting as "painstaking".<ref>Bradman (1950), p. 125.</ref> Batting against the [[Australian Services cricket team]], Bradman scored 112 in less than two hours, yet Dick Whitington (playing for the Services) wrote, "I have seen today the ghost of a once-great cricketer".<ref>Eason (2004), p. 337.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 November 2010 |title=The Spin {{!}} The Ashes 2010: it's time {{!}} Andy Bull |url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/nov/23/the-spin-ashes-it-is-time |access-date=25 August 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825180419/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/nov/23/the-spin-ashes-it-is-time |url-status=live }}</ref> Bradman declined a [[Australian cricket team in New Zealand in 1945–46|tour of New Zealand]] and spent the winter of 1946 wondering whether he had played his last match. "With the [[English cricket team in Australia in 1946–47|English team]] due to arrive for the [[1946–47 Ashes series]], the media and the public were anxious to know if Bradman would lead [[Australia cricket team in Australia in 1946–47|Australia]]."<ref name="Williamsp206">Williams (1996) pp. 205–206. "It was all the more obvious that, on any analysis, the only figure of stature who could lead Australia back into the post-War cricket era was 'the little feller', the 'sick man of Adelaide', the wartime invalid now nearing forty. It is little wonder that all Australia wanted to know precisely what he was proposing to do."</ref> His doctor recommended against a return to the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/343302.html|title=History from the maker|work=Cricinfo|access-date=19 May 2008|date=29 March 2008|archive-date=2 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402000719/http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/343302.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Encouraged by his wife, Bradman agreed to play in lead-up fixtures to the Test series.<ref>Bradman (1950), p. 126.</ref> After hitting two centuries, Bradman made himself available for the First Test at [[Brisbane Cricket Ground|The Gabba]].

Controversy emerged on the first day of the [[1946–47 Ashes series#First Test – Brisbane|First Test at Brisbane]]. After compiling an uneasy 28 runs, Bradman hit a ball to the [[slip (cricket)#Gully|gully]] fieldsman, [[Jack Ikin]]. "An appeal for a [[Catch (cricket)|catch]] was denied in the [[Umpiring in the 1946–47 Ashes series#Catches and Stumpings|umpire's contentious ruling]] that it was a [[List of cricket terms#B|bump ball]]".<ref>{{cite web|url = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152883.html|work = Wisden|year = 1948|title = 1st Test Australia v England match report|access-date = 8 August 2007|archive-date = 9 July 2012|archive-url = https://archive.today/20120709050258/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152883.html|url-status = live}}</ref> At the end of the [[Over (cricket)|over]], England captain [[Wally Hammond]] spoke with Bradman and criticised him for not "[[List of cricket terms#W|walking]]"; "from then on the series was a cricketing war just when most people desired peace", Whitington wrote.<ref>Whitington (1974), p. 190.</ref> Bradman regained his finest pre-war form in making 187, followed by 234 during the Second Test at [[Sydney Cricket Ground|Sydney]] ([[Sid Barnes]] also scored 234 during the innings, many in a still-standing record 405-run [[Wicket#Partnership|5th-wicket]] [[Partnership (cricket)|partnership]] with Bradman. Barnes later recalled that he purposely got out on 234 because "it wouldn't be right for someone to make more runs than Bradman"). Australia won both matches by an innings. Jack Fingleton speculated that had the decision at Brisbane gone against him, Bradman would have retired, such were his fitness problems.<ref>Fingleton (1949), p. 22.</ref> In the remainder of the series, Bradman made three half-centuries in six innings, but he was unable to make another century; nevertheless, his team won handsomely, scoring 3–0. He was the leading batsman on either side, with an average of 97.14. Nearly 850,000 spectators watched the Tests, which helped lift public spirits after the war.<ref>Bradman (1950), p. 139.</ref>

===Century of centuries and "The Invincibles"===
{{Main|Don Bradman with the Australian cricket team in England in 1948}}
{{See also|Australian cricket team in England in 1948|1948 Ashes series}}
[[India national cricket team|India]] made its first tour of Australia in the 1947–48 season. On 15 November, Bradman made 172 against them for an Australian XI at [[Sydney Cricket Ground|Sydney]], his 100th [[First-class cricket|first-class]] century.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1940S/1947-48/IND_IN_AUS/IND_AUS-XI_14-18NOV1947.html| title = Australian XI v Indians at Sydney| work = Cricinfo| access-date = 15 May 2008| archive-date = 31 October 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231031220052/https://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1940S/1947-48/IND_IN_AUS/IND_AUS-XI_14-18NOV1947.html| url-status = live}}</ref> The first non-Englishman to achieve the milestone, Bradman remains the only Australian to have done so.<ref name="100centuries">{{cite web| url = http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/251072.html| title = First-class matches: Most hundreds in a career| work = Records| publisher = Cricinfo| access-date = 14 May 2008| archive-date = 25 January 2010| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100125151615/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/251072.html| url-status = live}} Bradman scored 117&nbsp;centuries. At 14 May 2008, the closest Australians to the 100-century mark are [[Darren Lehmann]] and [[Justin Langer]] with 82. The other non-English players to score 100 centuries—[[Viv Richards]], [[Zaheer Abbas]] and [[Glenn Turner]]—started their first-class cricket careers after Bradman had retired from all forms of cricket.</ref> In five Tests, he scored 715 runs (at 178.75&nbsp;average). His last double century (201) came at [[Adelaide Oval|Adelaide]], and he scored a century in each innings of the Melbourne Test.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/78297.html|work = Cricinfo|title = Bradman and the Indian connection|access-date = 23 August 2008|archive-date = 12 October 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071012213643/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/78297.html|url-status = live}}</ref> On the eve of the Fifth Test, he announced that the match would be his last in Australia, although he would tour England as a farewell.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/bradman/bio-page.htm#14 |title=Biographical essay by Michael Page |work=State Library South Australia |access-date=19 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620035506/http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/bradman/bio-page.htm |archive-date=20 June 2008 }}</ref>

Australia had assembled one of the great teams of cricket history.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/145314.html | work = Cricinfo.com | title = Benaud rates Ponting's team alongside the Invincibles | access-date = 23 August 2008 | archive-date = 12 October 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071012213613/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/145314.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Bradman made it known that he wanted to go through the tour unbeaten,<ref name="Teleg"/> a feat never before accomplished.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/155254.html|title=Australians in England, 1948|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=29 July 2014|date=30 May 2008|archive-date=31 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231041708/http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/155254.html|url-status=live}}</ref> English spectators were drawn to the matches knowing that it would be their last opportunity to see Bradman in action. [[R. C. Robertson-Glasgow|RC Robertson-Glasgow]] observed of Bradman that:<ref name=Robertson/>

{{quote|Next to Mr. [[Winston Churchill]], he was the most celebrated man in England during the summer of 1948. His appearances throughout the country were like one continuous farewell matinée. At last his batting showed human fallibility. Often, especially at the start of the innings, he played where the ball wasn't, and spectators rubbed their eyes.}}

Despite his waning powers, Bradman compiled 11 centuries on the tour, amassing 2,428 runs (average&nbsp;89.92).<ref name=Robertson/> His highest score of the tour (187) came against [[Essex County Cricket Club|Essex]], when Australia compiled a world record of 721 runs in a day. In the Tests, he scored a century at [[Trent Bridge]], but the performance most like his pre-war exploits came in the Fourth Test at Headingley. England [[Declaration and forfeiture|declared]] on the last morning of the game, setting Australia a world record 404 runs to win in only 345&nbsp;minutes on a [[Cricket pitch|heavily worn pitch]]. In [[Innings|partnership]] with [[Arthur Morris]] (182), Bradman reeled off 173 not out and the match was won with 15&nbsp;minutes to spare. The journalist [[Ray Robinson (cricket writer)|Ray Robinson]] called the victory "the 'finest ever' in its conquest of seemingly insuperable odds".<ref>Quoted by Page (1983), p. 312.</ref>

In the final Test at [[The Oval]], Bradman walked out to bat in Australia's first innings. He received a standing ovation from the crowd and three cheers from the opposition.<ref name="Fifth">{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152898.html|title=Fifth Test Match: England v Australia 1948|work=Wisden Cricketers' Almanack|access-date=3 June 2017|archive-date=25 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825235620/http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152898.html|url-status=live}}</ref> His Test batting average stood at 101.39.<ref>{{cite web|last=Parsons|first=Chris|title=On This Day: Donald Bradman makes the 'greatest ever innings'|publisher=Eurosport|url=http://www.eurosport.com/cricket/on-this-day-donald-bradman-makes-the-greatest-ever-innings_sto4711777/story.shtml|access-date=3 June 2017|date=6 January 2014|archive-date=31 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031220051/https://www.eurosport.com/geoblocking.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Facing the [[Spin bowling|wrist-spin]] of [[Eric Hollies]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Hoult|first=Nick|title='Untouchable' Bradman hits yet another century|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|date=26 August 2008|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/australia/2626962/Untouchable-Bradman-hits-another-century-Cricket.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/australia/2626962/Untouchable-Bradman-hits-another-century-Cricket.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=3 June 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Bradman pushed forward to the second ball that he faced, was deceived by a [[googly]], and was [[bowled]] between bat and pad for a [[Duck (cricket)|duck]].<ref>Baldwin (2005), p. 108.</ref> An England batting collapse resulted in an innings defeat, denying Bradman the opportunity to bat again and so his career average finished at 99.94;<ref name="Fifth"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Australia tour of England, 5th Test: England v Australia at The Oval, Aug 14–18, 1948|work=ESPNcricinfo|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62689.html|access-date=15 July 2017|archive-date=26 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226134712/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62689.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Baldwin109">Baldwin (2005), p. 109.</ref> if he had scored just four runs in his last innings, it would have been 100. A story developed over the years that claimed Bradman missed the ball because of tears in his eyes,<ref name="Baldwin109"/> a claim Bradman denied for the rest of his life.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lynch|first=Steven|title=Memorable ducks|publisher=ESPN|date=17 January 2012|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/cricket/sport/story/131430.html|access-date=15 July 2017|archive-date=8 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208122507/http://en.espn.co.uk/cricket/sport/story/131430.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Australian team won the Ashes 4–0, completed the tour unbeaten, and entered history as "[[Australian cricket team in England in 1948|The Invincibles]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/sportinggreats/ |title=Sporting greats&nbsp;– Australia reveres and treasures its sporting heroes |access-date=23 August 2008 |work=Australian Government&nbsp;– Culture and Recreation Portal |quote=The 1948 Australian cricket team captained by Don Bradman, for example, became known as 'The Invincibles' for their unbeaten eight-month tour of England. This team is one of Australia's most cherished sporting legends. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110408184025/http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/sportinggreats/ |archive-date=8 April 2011 }}</ref> Just as Bradman's legend grew, rather than diminished, over the years, so too has the reputation of the 1948 team. For Bradman, it was the most personally fulfilling period of his playing days, as the divisiveness of the 1930s had passed. He wrote:<ref>Bradman (1950), p. 152.</ref>

{{quote|Knowing the personnel, I was confident that here at last was the great opportunity which I had longed for. A team of cricketers whose respect and loyalty were unquestioned, who would regard me in a fatherly sense and listen to my advice, follow my guidance and not question my handling of affairs...there are no longer any fears that they will query the wisdom of what you do. The result is a sense of freedom to give full reign to your own creative ability and personal judgment.}}

With Bradman now retired from professional cricket, [[R. C. Robertson-Glasgow|RC Robertson-Glasgow]] wrote of the English reaction "...&nbsp;a miracle has been removed from among us. So must ancient Italy have felt when she heard of the death of [[Hannibal]]".<ref name=Robertson>{{cite web | url = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152888.html | work = Wisden | year = 1949 | title = A Miracle Has Been Removed From Among Us | last = Robertson-Glasgow | first = R. C. | access-date = 20 August 2007 | archive-date = 8 December 2012 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20121208212355/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152888.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

==Statistical summary==

===Test match performance===
[[File:Don Bradman Complete Test Career Record.png|center|thumb|640px|This is the complete graphical representation of the test cricket record of Don Bradman. Individual innings are represented by the blue and red (not out) bars; the green line is his career batting average.<ref>{{cite web|author = Howstat|url = http://www.howstat.com.au/cricket/Statistics/Players/PlayerProgressBat.asp?PlayerID=0225|title = Don Bradman – Test Cricket|access-date = 8 January 2019|publisher = Howstat Computing Services|archive-date = 8 January 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190108145508/http://www.howstat.com.au/cricket/Statistics/Players/PlayerProgressBat.asp?PlayerID=0225|url-status = live}}</ref>]]
{{Clear}}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto 1em auto; width:80%;"
|-
!colspan=2| &nbsp;
!colspan=4| Batting<ref name="batsum">{{cite web |url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/4188.html?class=1;template=results;type=batting |title=Statsguru&nbsp;— DG Bradman&nbsp;— Test matches&nbsp;— Batting analysis |access-date=20 June 2008 |work=[[Cricinfo]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102090944/http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/4188.html?class=1;template=results;type=batting |archive-date=2 January 2013 }}</ref>
!colspan=4| Bowling<ref name="bowlsum">{{cite web |url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/4188.html?class=1;template=results;type=bowling |access-date=20 June 2008 |title=Statsguru&nbsp;— DG Bradman&nbsp;— Test Bowling&nbsp;— Bowling analysis |work=[[Cricinfo]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102065927/http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/4188.html?class=1;template=results;type=bowling |archive-date=2 January 2013 }}</ref>
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | Opposition
!| Matches
!| Runs
!| Average
!| High Score
!| 100 / 50
!| Runs
!| Wickets
!| Average
!| Best (Inns)
|- style="text-align:right;"
| style="text-align:left;" | {{cr|ENG}}
|| 37
|| 5,028
|| 89.78
|| 334
|| 19/12
|| 51
|| 1
|| 51.00
|| 1/23
|- style="text-align:right;"
| style="text-align:left;" | {{cr|India}}
|| 5
|| 715
|| 178.75
|| 201
|| 4/1
|| 4
|| 0
||&nbsp;–
||&nbsp;–
|- style="text-align:right;"
| style="text-align:left;" | {{cr|RSA|1928}}
|| 5
|| 806
|| 201.50
|| 299[[not out|*]]
|| 4/0
|| 2
|| 0
||&nbsp;–
||&nbsp;–
|- style="text-align:right;"
| style="text-align:left;" | {{cr|WIN}}
|| 5
|| 447
|| 74.50
|| 223
|| 2/0
|| 15
|| 1
|| 15.00
|| 1/8
|- style="text-align:right; border-top:solid 2px gray;"
| style="text-align:left;" | Overall
|| 52
|| 6,996
|| 99.94
|| 334
|| 29/13
|| 72
|| 2
|| 36.00
|| 1/8
|}

===First-class performance===
[[File:Don Bradman's First Class batting record.png|center|thumb|640px|This is the complete graphical representation of the first-class cricket record of Don Bradman. Individual innings are represented by the blue and red (not out) bars; the black line is his career batting average.]]
{{Clear}}
{| class="wikitable"
!
!Innings
!Not Out
!Highest
!Aggregate
!Average
!100s
!100s/inns
|-
| Ashes Tests
| align=center|63
| align=center|7
| align=center|334
| align=center|5,028
| align=center|89.78
| align=center|19
| align=center|30.2%
|-
| All Tests
| align=center|80
| align=center|10
| align=center|334
| align=center|6,996
| align=center|99.94
| align=center|29
| align=center|36.3%
|-
| Sheffield Shield
| align=center|96
| align=center|15
| align=center|452[[not out|*]]
| align=center|8,926
| align=center|110.19
| align=center|36
| align=center|37.5%
|-
| All First Class
| align=center|338
| align=center|43
| align=center|452[[not out|*]]
| align=center|28,067
| align=center|95.14
| align=center|117
| align=center|34.6%
|-
| Grade
| align=center|93
| align=center|17
| align=center|303
| align=center|6,598
| align=center|86.80
| align=center|28
| align=center|30.1%
|-
| All Second Class
| align=center|331
| align=center|64
| align=center|320[[not out|*]]
| align=center|22,664
| align=center|84.80
| align=center|94
| align=center|28.4%
|-
| '''Grand Total'''
| align=center|'''669'''
| align=center|'''107'''
| align=center|'''452[[not out|*]]'''
| align=center|'''50,731'''
| align=center|'''90.27'''
| align=center|'''211'''
| align=center|'''31.5%'''
|-
| colspan="8" style="text-align:center;"|<small>Statistics from Bradman Museum.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bradman.org.au/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?id=122&nav_cat_id=135&nav_top_id=56|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070901164408/http://www.bradman.org.au/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?id=122&nav_cat_id=135&nav_top_id=56|archive-date=1 September 2007|title=Bradman's Career Statistics|work=Bradman Museum|access-date=23 August 2008}}</ref></small>
|}

===Test records===
{{See also|List of international cricket centuries by Don Bradman}}
Bradman still holds the following significant records for Test match cricket:

==== Batting average ====
* Highest career batting average (minimum 20 innings):&nbsp;99.94<ref name="avg">{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/282910.html|title=Test matches: Highest career batting average|work=Cricinfo|access-date=19 May 2008|archive-date=17 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101017013339/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/282910.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Highest series batting average (minimum 4-Test&nbsp;series): 201.50 (1931–32); also second-highest: 178.75 (1947–48)<ref>
{{cite web
 |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=batting_average;qualmax1=8;qualmin1=4;qualval1=matches;template=results;type=batting;view=series 
 |title=Test matches&nbsp;— Batting records 
 |work=Cricinfo 
 |access-date=17 May 2008 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326190331/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1%3Bfilter%3Dadvanced%3Borderby%3Dbatting_average%3Bqualmax1%3D8%3Bqualmin1%3D4%3Bqualval1%3Dmatches%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dbatting%3Bview%3Dseries 
 |archive-date=26 March 2014 }}</ref>

==== Conversion rate ====

*Highest percentage of centuries per innings played:&nbsp;36.25% (29&nbsp;centuries from 80&nbsp;innings)<ref>{{cite web|title=Players Batting 30 Innings with 10% Centuries|url=http://howstat.com.au/cricket/Statistics/Batting/BattingHundreds7.asp|access-date=29 May 2008|work=Howstat|archive-date=22 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080722002950/http://howstat.com.au/cricket/Statistics/Batting/BattingHundreds7.asp|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Highest percentage of double centuries per innings played:&nbsp;15% (12&nbsp;double centuries from 80&nbsp;innings)<ref name="doubhun" />
*Highest 50/100 conversion rate (minimum 2000 runs): 69.05% (29 centuries converted from 42 innings of ≥ 50 runs)<ref>{{Cite web|title=HowSTAT! Test Cricket - Highest 50/100 Conversion Rate|url=http://howstat.com/cricket/statistics/batting/BattingConvRate.asp|access-date=31 December 2021|website=howstat.com|archive-date=31 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231061016/http://howstat.com/cricket/statistics/batting/BattingConvRate.asp|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Highest 100/200 conversion rate (minimum 2000 runs): 41.38%  (12 double centuries converted from 29 innings of ≥ 100 runs)<ref name=doubhun>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/230344.html|title=Most double hundreds in a career|work=Cricinfo|access-date=15 January 2012|archive-date=18 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218173658/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/230344.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Multiples of 100 runs ====

*Most double centuries:&nbsp;12<ref name="doubhun" />
* Most double centuries in a series:&nbsp;3 (1930); also 2 (1931–32, 1934, 1936–37)<ref>{{cite web|title=Test matches: Most double hundreds in a series|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/282953.html|access-date=15 January 2012|work=Cricinfo|archive-date=20 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420043821/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/282953.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=HowSTAT! Test Cricket - Players Scoring Most Double Centuries in a Series|url=http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Batting/BattingHundreds2.asp?Stat=2|access-date=1 January 2022|website=www.howstat.com|archive-date=1 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101234108/http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Batting/BattingHundreds2.asp?Stat=2|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Most triple centuries:&nbsp;2 (equal with [[Chris Gayle]], [[Brian Lara]] and [[Virender Sehwag]])<ref>
{{cite web|title=Test matches&nbsp;— Batting records&nbsp;- 300 runs in an innings|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=runs;runsmin1=300;runsval1=runs;template=results;type=batting|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619035935/http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/stats/index.html?class=1%3Bfilter%3Dadvanced%3Borderby%3Druns%3Brunsmin1%3D300%3Brunsval1%3Druns%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dbatting|archive-date=19 June 2008|access-date=17 November 2010|work=Cricinfo}}</ref> Note: Bradman was stranded on 299* in the 4th Test against South Africa in 1932.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of South Africa vs Australia 4th Test 1931/32 - Score Report {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/south-africa-tour-of-australia-1931-32-61828/australia-vs-south-africa-4th-test-62601/full-scorecard|access-date=31 December 2021|website=ESPNcricinfo|language=en|archive-date=28 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228014822/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/south-africa-tour-of-australia-1931-32-61828/australia-vs-south-africa-4th-test-62601/full-scorecard|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Not out on 99,199 and 299|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/284122.html|work=cricinfo|access-date=29 March 2017|archive-date=30 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330020120/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/284122.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Scoring rate ====

*Most centuries accumulated within single [[session (cricket)|sessions of play]]:&nbsp;6 (1&nbsp;pre lunch, 2&nbsp;lunch-tea, 3&nbsp;tea-stumps)<ref>{{cite web|title=Current Test Records still held by D.G. Bradman|url=http://www.bradman.org.au/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?id=246&nav_cat_id=194&nav_top_id=56|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070901164042/http://www.bradman.org.au/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?id=246&nav_cat_id=194&nav_top_id=56|archive-date=1 September 2007|access-date=23 August 2008|work=Bradman Museum}}</ref>
* Most runs in one day's play:&nbsp;309 (1930)<ref>{{cite web|title=Records&nbsp;— Test matches&nbsp;— Most runs in a day|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/284225.html|access-date=17 May 2008|work=Cricinfo|archive-date=21 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080621101219/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/284225.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Fastest to multiples of 1000 runs ====

* Fewest matches required to reach 1000 (7 matches),<ref name="stats.cricinfo">{{cite web|title=Fastest to 1000 Runs|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283173.html|access-date=12 July 2013|work=Cricinfo|archive-date=3 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100803080917/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283173.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 2000 (15 matches),<ref name="stats.cricinfo_a">{{cite web|title=Fastest to 2000 Runs|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283152.html|access-date=1 January 2010|work=Cricinfo|archive-date=12 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212092616/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283152.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 3000 (23 matches),<ref name="stats.cricinfo_b">{{cite web|title=Fastest to 3000 Runs|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283177.html|access-date=1 January 2010|work=Cricinfo|archive-date=12 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212083005/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283177.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 4000 (31 matches),<ref name="stats.cricinfo_c">{{cite web|title=Fastest to 4000 Runs|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283179.html|access-date=1 January 2010|work=Cricinfo|archive-date=15 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091215011606/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283179.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 5000 (36 matches)<ref name="stats.cricinfo_d">{{cite web|title=Fastest to 5000 Runs|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283181.html|access-date=1 January 2010|work=Cricinfo|archive-date=16 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091216021858/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283181.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and 6000 (45 matches)<ref name="stats.cricinfo_e">{{cite web|title=Fastest to 6000 Runs|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283183.html|access-date=1 January 2010|work=Cricinfo|archive-date=10 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110024933/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283183.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Test runs.
* Fewest innings required to reach 2000 (22 innings),<ref name="stats.cricinfo_a" /> 3000 (33 innings),<ref name="stats.cricinfo_b" /> 4000 (48 innings),<ref name="stats.cricinfo_c" /> 5000 (56 innings)<ref name="stats.cricinfo_d" /> and 6000 (68 innings)<ref name="stats.cricinfo_e" /> Test runs.

==== Other ====

*Highest peak [[ICC Player Rankings|Test batting rating]]: 961<ref>{{cite web|title=Reliance ICC Best-Ever Test Championship Rating|url=http://www.relianceiccrankings.com/alltime/test/|access-date=8 August 2015|website=Reliance ICC Rankings|archive-date=30 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630035758/http://www.relianceiccrankings.com/alltime/test/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Highest percentage of team runs over career: 24.28%<ref>{{Cite web|title=Test Highest Percentage of Team's Runs over Career|url=https://stats.acscricket.com/Records/Test/Overall/Batting/Highest_Career_Percentage_Runs.html|url-status=live|access-date=1 January 2022|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201080734/http://stats.acscricket.com:80/Records/Test/Overall/Batting/Highest_Career_Percentage_Runs.html |archive-date=1 December 2017 }}</ref>

*Highest 5th wicket partnership:&nbsp;405 (with Sid Barnes, 1946–47)<ref>{{cite web|title=Records&nbsp;— Test matches&nbsp;— Highest partnership for the fifth wicket|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283583.html|access-date=17 May 2008|work=Cricinfo|archive-date=15 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091215183434/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283583.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

*Highest score by a number&nbsp;7 batsman:&nbsp;270 (1936–37)<ref name="batpos">{{cite web|title=Records&nbsp;— Test matches&nbsp;— Most runs in an innings (by batting position)|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/282860.html|access-date=15 January 2012|work=Cricinfo|archive-date=30 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100330194136/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/282860.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

*Most runs against one opponent:&nbsp;5,028 (England)<ref>{{cite web|date=15 January 2008|title=Most runs against West Indies, and most wickets against anyone|url=http://content-www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/330744.html|access-date=17 May 2008|work=Cricinfo|archive-date=31 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080131062240/http://content-www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/330744.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Most hundreds against one opponent: 19 (England)<ref>{{Cite web|title=HowSTAT! Test Cricket - Most Centuries against One Country|url=http://howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Batting/BattingMostHundredsVsOneCountry.asp|access-date=2 January 2022|website=howstat.com|archive-date=2 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102002700/http://howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Batting/BattingMostHundredsVsOneCountry.asp|url-status=live}}</ref>

*Most runs in one series:&nbsp;974 (1930)<ref>{{cite web|title=Records&nbsp;— Test matches&nbsp;— Most runs in a series|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/282849.html|access-date=15 January 2012|work=Cricinfo|archive-date=30 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100330161333/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/282849.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

* Most consecutive matches in which he made a century:&nbsp;6 (the last three Tests in 1936–37, and the first three Tests in 1938)<ref>{{cite web|title=Records&nbsp;— Test matches&nbsp;– Hundreds in consecutive matches|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/282976.html|access-date=17 May 2008|work=Cricinfo|archive-date=17 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917202628/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/282976.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Cricket context===
{{Test cricket batting averages}}
Bradman's Test batting average of 99.94 has become one of cricket's most famous, iconic statistics.<ref name=CricinfoLords/> No other player who has played more than 20&nbsp;Test match innings has finished their career with a Test average of more than 62.<ref name=avg/> Bradman scored [[century (cricket)|centuries]] at a rate better than one every three innings—in 80&nbsp;Test innings, Bradman scored 29&nbsp;centuries.<ref name="Freq">{{cite web| url = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/296259.html| work = Cricinfo| title = Highest frequency of hundreds and fiver-fors| access-date = 23 August 2008| date = 30 May 2007| archive-date = 12 October 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071012213628/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/296259.html| url-status = live}}</ref> Only [[List of Test cricket records#Centuries|11 players]] have since surpassed his total, all at a much slower rate: the next fastest player to reach 29 centuries, [[Sachin Tendulkar]], required nearly twice as long (148&nbsp;innings) to do so.<ref name="Freq"/>

In addition, Bradman's total of 12&nbsp;Test double hundreds—constituting 15% of his innings—remains the most achieved by any Test batsman and was accumulated faster than any other player's total.<ref name="doubhun" />
For comparison, the next-highest totals of Test double hundreds are [[Kumar Sangakkara]]'s 11 in 223&nbsp;innings (4.9%), [[Brian Lara]]'s 9 in 232&nbsp;innings (3.9%), and [[Wally Hammond]]'s 7 in 140&nbsp;innings (5%); the next-highest rate of scoring Test double centuries was achieved by [[Vinod Kambli]], whose 21 innings included 2 double centuries (9.5%).<ref name="doubhun"/>

===World sport context===
''Wisden'' hailed Bradman as "the greatest phenomenon in the history of cricket, indeed in the history of all ball games".<ref name=Cricinfo1/> Statistician Charles Davis analysed the statistics for several prominent sportsmen by comparing the number of [[standard deviation]]s that they stand above the [[Arithmetic mean|mean]] for their sport.<ref name="davis">{{Cite news | url = https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/sep/16/comment.news1 | title = Ali? Laver? Best? No, the Williams sisters | last = Buckley | first = Will | work = [[The Observer]] | access-date = 23 August 2008 | date = 16 September 2007 | location = London | archive-date = 5 October 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141005191857/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/sep/16/comment.news1 | url-status = live }}</ref> The top performers in his selected sports are:<ref name=NYT/>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Athlete
!Sport
!Statistic
!Standard<br />deviations
|-
| Bradman
| [[Cricket]]
| [[Batting average (cricket)|Batting average]]
| align=center|4.4
|-
| [[Pelé]]
| Association football
| Goals per game
| align=center|3.7
|-
| [[Ty Cobb]]
| Baseball
| [[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
| align=center|3.6
|-
| [[Jack Nicklaus]]
| Golf
| [[List of men's major championships winning golfers|Major titles]]
| align=center|3.5
|-
| [[Michael Jordan]]
| Basketball
| Points per game
| align=center|3.4
|}

The statistics show that "no other athlete dominates an international sport to the extent that Bradman does cricket".<ref name="Bigclaim">{{Cite book |last=Hutchins |first=Brett |title=Don Bradman: Challenging the Myth |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-521-82384-5 |page=21}}</ref> In order to post a similarly dominant career statistic as Bradman, a baseball batter would need a career batting average of .392, while a basketball player would need to score an average of 43.0&nbsp;points per game over their career.<ref name="NYT">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/27/sports/sir-donald-bradman-92-cricket-legend-dies.html|title=Sir Donald Bradman, 92, Cricket Legend, Dies|last=Shaw|first=John|date=27 February 2001|work=The New York Times|access-date=23 August 2008|archive-date=16 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090716023327/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/27/sports/sir-donald-bradman-92-cricket-legend-dies.html?|url-status=live}}</ref> The respective records are .366 and 30.1.<ref name="NYT"/>

When Bradman died, ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' allocated a space in its "Milestones" column for an [[obituary]]:<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,101355,00.html|title=Milestones|last=Adams|first=Kathleen|date=4 March 2001|magazine=Time|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218032345/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,101355,00.html|access-date=23 August 2008|archive-date=18 December 2010|url-status=dead|display-authors=etal}}</ref>

{{quote|...Australian icon considered by many to be the pre-eminent sportsman of all time...One of Australia's most beloved heroes, he was revered abroad as well. When [[Nelson Mandela]] was released after 27&nbsp;years in prison, his first question to an Australian visitor was, "Is Sir Donald Bradman still alive?"}}

==Playing style==
{{Main|Don Bradman's batting technique}}
[[File:BradmanHooksVoce.jpg|right|thumb|Bradman hooks English left-arm fast bowler [[Bill Voce]] during the 1936–37 series. The position of Bradman's left foot in relation to the stumps is an example of how he [[Crease (cricket)#Using the crease|used the crease]] when batting.]]

Bradman's early development was shaped by the high bounce of the ball on [[Cricket pitch|matting-over-concrete pitches]]. He favoured "horizontal-bat" shots (such as the hook, pull and cut) to deal with the bounce and devised a unique grip on the bat handle that would accommodate these strokes without compromising his ability to defend. Employing a side-on stance at the wicket, Bradman kept perfectly still as the bowler ran in.<ref name=Time>{{Cite magazine| url = http://time.com/time/pacific/magazine/20010305/bradman2.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071012161132/http://time.com/time/pacific/magazine/20010305/bradman2.html | archive-date = 12 October 2007 |magazine = Time |title = Farewell to the Don|access-date = 23 August 2008 | url-status = dead | date=5 March 2001}}</ref> His backswing had a "crooked" look that troubled his early critics, but he resisted entreaties to change.<ref>Bradman (1950), p. 20.</ref> His backswing kept his hands in close to the body, leaving him perfectly balanced and able to change his stroke mid-swing, if need be.<ref>Eason (2004), p. 88.</ref> Another telling factor was the decisiveness of Bradman's footwork. He "used the crease" by either coming metres down the pitch to drive, or playing so far back that his feet ended up level with the stumps when playing the cut, hook or pull.<ref>Robinson (1981), p. 139.</ref>

Bradman's game evolved with experience. He temporarily adapted his technique during the Bodyline series, deliberately moving around the crease in an attempt to score from the short-pitched deliveries.<ref>Bradman (1950), p. 74.</ref> At his peak, in the mid-1930s, he had the ability to switch between a defensive and attacking approach as the occasion demanded. After the Second World War, he adjusted to bat within the limitations set by his age, becoming a steady "accumulator" of runs.<ref>Fingleton (1949), pp. 209–211.</ref> However, Bradman never truly mastered batting on [[sticky wicket]]s. ''Wisden'' commented, "[i]f there really is a blemish on his amazing record it is&nbsp;... the absence of a significant innings on one of those 'sticky dogs' of old".<ref name=Cricinfo1/>

==After cricket==
[[File:Don Bradman's cricket bats at the State Library of South Australia, Adelaide, February 2023.jpg|thumb|right|Bradman's bats used in his historic performances, at the [[State Library of South Australia]]]]
After his return to Australia, Bradman played in his own [[Testimonial match]] at Melbourne, scoring his 117th and last century, and receiving £9,342 in proceeds (~$A606,489 in 2021 terms).<ref>Robinson (1981), p. 153.</ref> In the [[1949 New Year Honours]], he was appointed [[Knight Bachelor]]<ref>United Kingdom :{{London Gazette |issue=38493 |date=31 December 1948 |page=2 |supp=y }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1083761 |title=It's an Honour: Knight Bachelor |publisher=Itsanhonour.gov.au |date=1 January 1949 |access-date=21 August 2010 |archive-date=22 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222042225/https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1083761 |url-status=live }}</ref> for his services to the game, becoming the only Australian cricketer ever to be knighted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bradman.com.au/library_library_detail.aspx?view=9 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220055915/http://www.bradman.com.au/library_library_detail.aspx?view=9 |archive-date=20 February 2011 |title=Bradman Foundation Australia |publisher=Bradman.com.au |access-date=21 August 2010}}</ref> He commented that he "would have preferred to remain just Mister".<ref name=TelOb/> The following year he published a memoir, ''Farewell to Cricket''.<ref>Bradman (1950)</ref> Bradman accepted offers from the ''[[Daily Mail]]'' to travel with, and write about, the 1953 and 1956 Australian teams in England. ''[[The Art of Cricket]]'', his final book published in 1958, is an instructional manual.<ref name=Swanton/>

Bradman retired from his stockbroking business in June 1954, depending on the "comfortable" income earned as a board member of 16 publicly listed companies.<ref>Perry (1995), p. 569.</ref> His highest profile affiliation was with [[Argo Investments Limited]], where he was chairman for a number of years. Charles Williams commented that, "[b]usiness was excluded on medical grounds, [so] the only sensible alternative was a career in the administration of the game which he loved and to which he had given most of his active life".<ref>Williams (1996), p. 251.</ref>

Bradman was honoured at a number of cricket grounds, notably when his portrait was hung in the [[Long Room]] at [[Lord's Cricket Ground|Lord's]]; until [[Shane Warne]]'s portrait was added in 2005, Bradman was one of just three Australians to be honoured in this way.<ref>The following sources are, respectively, a Miller obituary from 2004, which lists Trumper and Bradman and a further piece from 2005, when Warne's portrait was added. [[Mike Atherton]], the author of the second piece, curiously overlooks Trumper's portrait; other articles of the same period do similarly.</ref><ref name="Selvey">{{Cite news
 | first = Mike
 | last = Selvey
 | author-link = Mike Selvey
 | title = Obituary: Keith Miller
 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/news/2004/oct/12/guardianobituaries.cricket
 | work = [[The Guardian]]
 | date = 12 October 2004
 | access-date = 14 January 2008
 | location = London
 | archive-date = 28 August 2013
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130828081930/http://www.theguardian.com/news/2004/oct/12/guardianobituaries.cricket
 | url-status = live
 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/2360948/Warne-still-the-incomparable-master-of-spin-bowler%27s-craft.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121223131518/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/2360948/Warne-still-the-incomparable-master-of-spin-bowler%27s-craft.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 December 2012|title=Warne: still the incomparable master of spin bowler's craft|last=Atherton|first=Michael|work=The Telegraph|access-date=16 May 2008 | location=London | date=12 June 2005}}</ref> Bradman inaugurated a "Bradman Stand" at the [[Sydney Cricket Ground]] in January 1974;<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.scgt.nsw.gov.au/History.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210171438/http://www.scgt.nsw.gov.au/History.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 December 2007 |title=SCGT&nbsp;— History |work=Sydney Cricket & Sports Ground Trust |access-date=16 May 2008 }}</ref> the [[Adelaide Oval]] also opened a Bradman Stand in 1990, which housed new media and corporate facilities.<ref>Gibbs (2001), p. 102.</ref> The Oval's Bradman Stand was demolished in 2013 as the stadium underwent an extensive re-development.<ref>{{cite news|last=Selvey|first=Mike|title=Ashes: Adelaide Oval is breaking new ground so hold on to your hard hat|work=The Guardian|date=29 November 2013|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2013/nov/29/adelaide-oval-second-test-australia-england-ashes|access-date=29 April 2017|location=London|archive-date=8 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208122519/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2013/nov/29/adelaide-oval-second-test-australia-england-ashes|url-status=live}}</ref> Later in 1974, he attended a Lord's Taverners function in London where he experienced heart problems,<ref name="Williamsp271"/> which forced him to limit his public appearances to select occasions only. With his wife, Bradman returned to [[Bowral, New South Wales|Bowral]] in 1976, where the new cricket ground was named in his honour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricketsa.com.au/Content.aspx?p=93 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20030817065910/http://www.cricketsa.com.au/Content.aspx?p=93 |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 August 2003 |title=SACA&nbsp;— History |work=South Australian Cricket Association |access-date=16 May 2008 }}</ref> He gave the keynote speech at the historic [[Centenary Test]] at Melbourne in 1977.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bradman.org.au/html/s03_faq/faqItem.asp?id=501|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831111025/http://www.bradman.org.au/html/s03_faq/faqItem.asp?id=501|archive-date=31 August 2007|title=Bradman Foundation|work=Bradman Museum|access-date=23 August 2008}}</ref>

On 16 June 1979, the Australian government awarded Bradman the nation's second-highest civilian honour at that time, Companion of the [[Order of Australia]] (AC), "in recognition of service to the sport of cricket and cricket administration".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/886305 |title=It's an Honour: AC |publisher=Itsanhonour.gov.au |date=11 June 1979 |access-date=21 August 2010 |archive-date=29 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129124601/https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/886305 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1980, he resigned from the ACB, to lead a more secluded life.

===Administrative career===
{{See also|Controversies involving Don Bradman}}
In addition to acting as one of South Australia's delegates to the [[Cricket Australia|Board of Control]] from 1945 to 1980, Bradman was a committee member of the SACA between 1935 and 1986. It is estimated that he attended 1,713&nbsp;SACA meetings during this half century of service. Aside from two years in the early 1950s, he filled a selector's berth for the Test team between 1936 and 1971.<ref>Harte (1993), p. 658.</ref>

Cricket saw an increase in defensive play during the 1950s. As a selector, Bradman favoured attacking, positive cricketers who entertained the paying public. He formed an alliance with Australian captain [[Richie Benaud]], seeking more attractive play,<ref>Cashman (1996), p. 58.</ref> with some success.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/93285.html|work = Cricinfo|title = Background: The 1960–61 West Indies tour of Australia|access-date = 23 August 2008|archive-date = 12 October 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071012213648/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/93285.html|url-status = live}}</ref> He served two high-profile periods as chairman of the board of Control, in 1960–63 and 1969–72.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricket.com.au/about-us/ca-history |work=Cricket Australia |title=Cricket Australia: History |access-date=15 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214151820/http://www.cricket.com.au/about-us/ca-history |archive-date=14 February 2014 }}</ref> During the first, he dealt with the growing prevalence of illegal bowling actions in the game, a problem that he adjudged "the most complex I have known in cricket, because it is not a matter of fact but of opinion".<ref name=Swanton/> The major controversy of his second stint was a proposed tour of Australia by South Africa in 1971–72. On Bradman's recommendation, the series was cancelled.<ref>Page (1983), pp. 350–355.</ref> Cricket journalist Michael Coward said of Bradman as an administrator:

{{quote|Bradman was more than a cricket player nonpareil. He was...an astute and progressive administrator; an expansive thinker, philosopher and writer on the game. Indeed, in some respects, he was as powerful, persuasive and influential a figure off the ground as he was on it.<ref>Eason (2004), p. 15.</ref>}}

In the late 1970s, Bradman played an important role during the [[World Series Cricket]] schism as a member of a special [[Cricket Australia|Australian Cricket Board]] committee formed to handle the crisis. He was criticised for not airing an opinion, but he dealt with World Series Cricket far more pragmatically than other administrators.<ref>Harte (1993), p. 587.</ref> Richie Benaud described Bradman as "a brilliant administrator and businessman", warning that he was not to be underestimated.<ref>Haigh (1993), p. 106.</ref> As Australian captain, [[Ian Chappell]] fought with Bradman over the issue of player remuneration in the early 1970s and has suggested that Bradman was parsimonious:<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Chappell|first1=Ian|last2=Mallett|first2=Ashley|title=Chappelli Speaks Out|url=https://archive.org/details/chappellispeakso00mall|url-access=limited|publisher=Allen & Unwin|year=2007|page=[https://archive.org/details/chappellispeakso00mall/page/n159 150]|isbn=978-1-74175-036-2}}</ref>

{{quote|I...thought to myself, 'Ian, did you just ask Bradman to fill your wallet with money?' Bradman's harangue confirmed my suspicions that the players were going to have a hard time extracting more money from the ACB.}}

===Cancellation of Apartheid South Africa's Australian Cricket Tour===
Despite South Africa's Apartheid regime excluding black players from participating in national sports, many countries including Australia retained [[Sporting boycott of South Africa during the apartheid era|sporting relations]] with the regime until the mid 1970s. In this vein, the [[South Africa national cricket team|South African national cricket team]] was [[South African cricket team in Australia in 1971–72 (proposed)|meant to tour Australia]] over the 1971–72 Australian summer. Public polls from the time suggested that, despite a group of very active protestors, around 75% of Australians wanted the tour to go ahead—believing that Australia should not interfere with South Africa's domestic politics.<ref name=":0"/> 

Bradman, as Chair of the Australian Cricket Board, was initially sympathetic to this majority position of allowing the planned tour to proceed. He expressed the view that white South African cricketers, many of whom had voiced their opposition to Apartheid and "had tried harder than our [Australian] protestors to do something about it", should not be punished for the decisions of their national government.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 August 2008 |title=The day apartheid was hit for six |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/the-day-apartheid-was-hit-for-six-20080823-gdss3b.html |access-date=28 April 2023 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |archive-date=18 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318074339/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/the-day-apartheid-was-hit-for-six-20080823-gdss3b.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, seeking to understand the situation better, Bradman travelled to South Africa in June 1971.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=25 February 2021 |title=The untold story of how Bradman became Mandela's 'ultimate hero' |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia/cricket-australia-news-how-sir-donald-bradman-became-nelson-mandelas-hero-anniversary-of-death/news-story/263371795784c5fdd3a417be5b6ae716 |access-date=28 April 2023 |website=Fox Sports |language=en |archive-date=18 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318074340/https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia/cricket-australia-news-how-sir-donald-bradman-became-nelson-mandelas-hero-anniversary-of-death/news-story/263371795784c5fdd3a417be5b6ae716 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 August 2008 |title=The day apartheid was hit for six |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/the-day-apartheid-was-hit-for-six-20080823-gdss3b.html |access-date=28 April 2023 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |archive-date=18 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318074339/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/the-day-apartheid-was-hit-for-six-20080823-gdss3b.html |url-status=live }}</ref> While there, Bradman met with then South African Prime Minister [[John Vorster]].<ref name=":0"/> Their exchange was documeted as follows:

* Bradman: "why don't you choose blacks in the team? I want to know". 
* Vorster: "blacks understand rugby but they don't understand the intricacies of cricket. [They] can't handle it".
* Bradman: "have you heard of [[Garfield Sobers|Garry Sobers]]?"

Sobers, a [[West Indian]] cricketer, was regarded as perhaps the greatest cricketing [[all-rounder]] of all time, and was reportedly admired by Bradman—who had helped get Sobers out to play in [[South Australia]] the previous decade.<ref name=":0"/>

When Bradman returned to Australia later in the year, and in the absence of any intervention by the Australian Government to prevent the tour, he argued to the other members of the Australian Cricket Board that they should cancel the tour.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 August 2008 |title=The day apartheid was hit for six |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/the-day-apartheid-was-hit-for-six-20080823-gdss3b.html |access-date=28 April 2023 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |archive-date=18 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318074339/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/the-day-apartheid-was-hit-for-six-20080823-gdss3b.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Roland |date=23 August 2008 |title=The Don's finest declaration |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/the-dons-finest-declaration-20080823-ge7c73.html |access-date=28 April 2023 |website=The Age |language=en |archive-date=28 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428101759/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/the-dons-finest-declaration-20080823-ge7c73.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On behalf of the Board, Bradman made a one-line statement to the press: "We will not play them [South Africa] until they choose a team on a non-racial basis.".<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Roland |date=23 August 2008 |title=The Don's finest declaration |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/the-dons-finest-declaration-20080823-ge7c73.html |access-date=28 April 2023 |website=The Age |language=en |archive-date=28 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428101759/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/the-dons-finest-declaration-20080823-ge7c73.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 

At the time, many disapproved of Bradman's decision to cancel to the tour. Vorster unsurprisingly decried the decision, calling it one by "anarchists, communists and fellow travellers".<ref>Cablegram from the Australian Embassy, Pretoria, to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Canberra, 15 September 1971, NAA916 11/8 Part 1</ref> Even Australian Prime Minister William McMahon expressed regret at the decision, saying it had been wanted by a "great many Australians".<ref>Cablegram from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Canberra, to all ports, 9 September 1971, NAA916 11/8 Part 1</ref> Meanwhile, some Australian newspapers lamented that "a small violent group of trouble-makers has won the day" and that "Bradman had 'conced[ed] defeat without a ball being bowled".<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 1971 |title=Australian Cricket |pages=20 |work=Sydney Daily Telegraph}}</ref> The decision was, however, praised in other media, and was well-received by anti-apartheid activists in South Africa.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Roland |date=23 August 2008 |title=The Don's finest declaration |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/the-dons-finest-declaration-20080823-ge7c73.html |access-date=28 April 2023 |website=The Age |language=en |archive-date=28 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428101759/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/the-dons-finest-declaration-20080823-ge7c73.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Those who appreciated Bradman's decision included a then-imprisoned [[Nelson Mandela]]. After Bradman's death, Mandela prasied him on public television—stating that "he was a hero, a true hero".<ref>{{Citation |title=Being Bradman - Part 1 |date=27 July 2015 |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-27/being-bradman---part-one/6660594 |access-date=28 April 2023 |publisher=ABC News |language=en-AU |archive-date=27 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427121441/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-27/being-bradman---part-one/6660594 |url-status=live }}</ref> 

Although Bradman became unwell and died before the two could meet, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser gifted Mandela a signed bat from the cricketer, which read: "To Nelson Mandela—in recognition of a great, unfinished innings".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fraser |first=Malcolm |date=5 December 2013 |title=Nelson Mandela: 'By far the greatest man' |url=https://www.smh.com.au/opinion/nelson-mandela-by-far-the-greatest-man-20131206-2yup4.html |access-date=28 April 2023 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |archive-date=28 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428101758/https://www.smh.com.au/opinion/nelson-mandela-by-far-the-greatest-man-20131206-2yup4.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Later years and death===
After his wife's death in 1997, Bradman suffered "a discernible and not unexpected wilting of spirit".<ref>Frith (2002), p. 429.</ref> The next year, on his 90th birthday, he hosted a meeting with his two favourite modern players, [[Shane Warne]] and [[Sachin Tendulkar]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/india/content/story/96323.html|title=Bradman never missed a Tendulkar innings in last five years|date=16 August 2001|work=Cricinfo|access-date=23 August 2008|archive-date=15 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080615132908/http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/india/content/story/96323.html|url-status=live}}</ref> but he was not seen in his familiar place at the Adelaide Oval again.<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.bradmantrail.com.au/story_3.php|title=Adelaide Oval|work=The Bradman Trail|access-date=19 May 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719191320/http://bradmantrail.com.au/story_3.php|archive-date=19 July 2008}}</ref>  In an oft-recited anecdote, Tendulkar was impressed with Bradman's sharpness and sense of humour at this historic meeting:<ref>{{Cite web |title=That's not bad for a 90-year-old man: When Don Bradman joked with Sachin Tendulkar about batting average |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/article/thats-not-bad-for-a-90-year-old-man-when-don-bradman-joked-with-sachin-tendulkar-about-batting-average/804552 |access-date=24 March 2023 |website=www.timesnownews.com |date=27 August 2021 |language=en |archive-date=24 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324112846/https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/article/thats-not-bad-for-a-90-year-old-man-when-don-bradman-joked-with-sachin-tendulkar-about-batting-average/804552 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Bradman and Tendulkar {{!}} The untold story of two of cricket's giants {{!}} ABC Australia |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQJev5nUvdE |access-date=24 March 2023 |language=en |archive-date=24 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324113912/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQJev5nUvdE |url-status=live }}</ref><blockquote>I (Tendulkar) asked him a question: 'What would you have averaged in today's cricket?' He thought about it and said 'Maybe 70'. The natural reaction was 'Why only 70 and not 99?' He said, 'C'mon, that's not bad for a 90-year-old man.'</blockquote>Hospitalised with pneumonia in December 2000, he returned home in the New Year and died there on 25 February 2001, aged 92.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2001/death_of_don_bradman/1189778.stm ''Bradman dies at 92''.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207183735/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2001/death_of_don_bradman/1189778.stm |date=7 December 2021 }} [[BBC News]]. Retrieved on 14 May 2008</ref>

A memorial service to mark Bradman's life was held on 25 March 2001 at [[St Peter's Cathedral, Adelaide|St Peter's Anglican Cathedral, Adelaide]]. The service was attended by a host of former and current Test cricketers, as well as Australia's then prime minister, [[John Howard]], leader of the opposition [[Kim Beazley]] and former prime minister [[Bob Hawke]]. Eulogies were given by [[Richie Benaud]] and [[Governor-General of Australia|Governor-General]] [[Sir William Deane]]. The service was broadcast live on [[ABC Television (Australian TV network)|ABC Television]] to a viewing audience of 1.45&nbsp;million.<ref>Hutchins (2002), p. 4.</ref> A private service for family and friends was earlier held at the [[Centennial Park Cemetery]] in the suburb of [[Pasadena, South Australia|Pasadena]], with many people lining both [[Greenhill Road, Adelaide|Greenhill]] and [[Goodwood Road, Adelaide|Goodwood]] Roads to pay their respects as his funeral motorcade passed by.

===Legacy===
Cricket writer [[David Frith]] summed up the paradox of the continuing fascination with Bradman:<ref>Frith (2002), p. 427.</ref>
{{quote|As the years passed, with no lessening of his reclusiveness, so his public stature continued to grow, until the sense of reverence and unquestioning worship left many of his contemporaries scratching their heads in wondering admiration.}}

As early as 1939, Bradman had a [[Royal Navy]] ship named after him. Built as a fishing trawler in 1936, {{HMS|Bradman}} was taken over by the [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]] in 1939,<ref>{{cite book|last=Haigh|first=Gideon|title=Inside Out: Writings on Cricket Culture|year=2008|publisher=[[Melbourne University Publishing]]|pages=122–123|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2TpLaTEed-cC&pg=PA122|author-link=Gideon Haigh|isbn=978-0-522-85553-1}}</ref> but was sunk by German aircraft the following year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/6314.html |title=HMS Bradman (FY 189) |publisher=Uboat.net |access-date=24 August 2011 |archive-date=19 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619234906/http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/6314.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the 1963 edition of ''[[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack]]'', Bradman was selected by [[Neville Cardus]] as one of the [[Six Giants of the Wisden Century]]. This was a special commemorative selection requested by Wisden for its 100th edition.<ref name="W63">[http://content-www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152764.html ''Six Giants of the Wisden Century''] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120712141218/http://content-www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152764.html |date=12 July 2012 }} [[Neville Cardus]], ''[[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack]]'', 1963. Retrieved on 8 November 2008.</ref> The other five players chosen were: [[Sydney Barnes]], [[W. G. Grace]], [[Jack Hobbs]], [[Tom Richardson (cricketer)|Tom Richardson]] and [[Victor Trumper]].

On 10 December 1985, Bradman was the first of 120 inaugural inductees into the [[Sport Australia Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sahof.org.au/about-us/history/ |title=Sport Australia Hall of Fame History |access-date=18 February 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218151831/http://www.sahof.org.au/aboutUs/history/ |archive-date=18 February 2011 }} at ''sahof.org.au''</ref> He spoke of his philosophy for considering the stature of athletes: {{quote|When considering the stature of an athlete or for that matter any person, I set great store in certain qualities which I believe to be essential in addition to skill. They are that the person conducts his or her life with dignity, with integrity, courage, and perhaps most of all, with modesty. These virtues are totally compatible with pride, ambition, and competitiveness.}}

Although modest about his own abilities and generous in his praise of other cricketers, Bradman was fully aware of the talents he possessed as a player;<ref>Williams (1996), p. 274.</ref> there is some evidence that he sought to influence his legacy.<ref name="Leg">Eason (2004), p. 16.</ref> During the 1980s and 1990s, Bradman carefully selected the people to whom he gave interviews,<ref name="Leg"/> assisting Michael Page, [[Roland Perry]] and Charles Williams, who all produced biographical works about him. Bradman also agreed to an extensive interview with [[Norman May]] for [[ABC Radio and Regional Content|ABC radio]], broadcast as ''Bradman: The Don Declares'' in eight 55-minute episodes during 1988.<ref>Eason (2004), p. 65.</ref>
[[File:BradmanStand.jpg|thumb|The Bradman Stand (named in 1990) at the [[Adelaide Oval]]]]

The most significant of these legacy projects was the [[International Cricket Hall of Fame|Bradman Museum]], opened in 1989 at the [[Bradman Oval]] in Bowral.<ref>Eason (2004), p. 73.</ref> This organisation was reformed in 1993 as a non-profit charitable Trust, called the Bradman Foundation.<ref>Eason (2004), p. 67.</ref> In 2010, it was expanded and rebranded as the International Cricket Hall of Fame.

When the [[Australian Cricket Hall of Fame]] was created in Melbourne in 1996, Bradman was made one of its 10 inaugural members.<ref name="ACHOF">{{cite web|url=http://www.mcg.org.au/History/Cricket/Australian%20Cricket%20Hall%20of%20Fame/Inductees.aspx |title=Australian Cricket Hall of Fame&nbsp;– Inductees |work=[[Melbourne Cricket Ground]] |access-date=25 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520072214/http://www.mcg.org.au/History/Cricket/Australian%20Cricket%20Hall%20of%20Fame/Inductees.aspx |archive-date=20 May 2013 }}</ref> In 2000, Bradman was selected by cricket experts as one of five ''[[Wisden Cricketers of the Century]]''. Each of the 100 members of the panel were able to select five cricketers: all 100 voted for Bradman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/293207.html|title=2000|work=Wisden| year = 2000|access-date=29 May 2008}}</ref> The [[ICC Cricket Hall of Fame]] inducted him on 19 November 2009.<ref>{{cite news| title=Bradman inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=20 November 2009}}</ref>

Bradman's life and achievements were recognised in Australia with two notable issues. Three years before he died, he became the first living Australian to be featured on an Australian postage stamp.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shop.auspost.com.au/stamps/legends-2012/about/previous-recipents |title=Previous Australia Post Australian Legends |work=Australia Post |access-date=26 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324081543/http://shop.auspost.com.au/stamps/legends-2012/about/previous-recipents |archive-date=24 March 2012 }}</ref> After his death, the Australian Government produced a [[Australian twenty-cent coin|20-cent]] coin to commemorate his life.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.ramint.gov.au/press_releases/Archive/best_world_bradman.cfm | title = Bradman coin among best in the world | date = 22 October 2002 | access-date = 23 August 2008 | work = [[Royal Australian Mint]]| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070831223248/http://www.ramint.gov.au/press_releases/Archive/best_world_bradman.cfm| archive-date = 31 August 2007}}</ref> On 27 August 2018, to celebrate 110 years since his birth, Bradman was commemorated with a [[Google Doodle]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/834515 |title=A doodle for the Don – celebrating Bradman's 110th birth anniversary |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=27 August 2018 |archive-date=27 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827142421/https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/834515 |url-status=live }}</ref> To mark 150 years of the Cricketers' Almanack, Wisden named him as captain of an all-time Test World XI.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/24640224|title=WG Grace and Shane Warne in Wisden all-time World Test XI|date=23 October 2013|work=BBC|access-date=26 July 2019|archive-date=26 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726140052/https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/24640224|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1999, Bradman was named in the six-man shortlist for [[BBC Sports Personality of the Year#Sports Personality of the Century Award|BBC Sports Personality of the Century]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/561352.stm|title=Ali crowned Sportsman of Century|date=13 December 1999|work=[[BBC Sport]]|access-date=13 October 2018|archive-date=30 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830034524/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/561352.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Asteroid [[2472 Bradman]], discovered by [[Luboš Kohoutek]], is named in his honour.<ref>{{cite book|publisher=Springer |date=2003 |isbn=978-3-540-29925-7 |doi=10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_2473 |chapter=(2472) Bradman |title=Dictionary of Minor Planet Names |page=201 }}</ref>

The [[State Library of South Australia]] in Adelaide approached Bradman in the late 1960s about his transferring his personal collection of memorabilia to them.<ref name='SLSA'>{{cite web|title=Don Bradman: History of the Collection|url=https://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/history-of-collection|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312061056/https://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/history-of-collection|archive-date=12 March 2023|publisher=[[State Library of South Australia]]|accessdate=13 March 2023}}</ref> Bradman then collaborated in the creation of scrapbooks about his career which he donated to the library along with bats, balls, trophies and tape recordings detailing his career. The original scrapbooks are held by the [[National Library of Australia]] in Canberra. The Bradman Collection was formally opened in a dedicated display space at the State Library of South Australia by Prime Minister [[John Howard]] in 1998.<ref name='SLSA'/>

==Family life==
[[File:Don Bradman with wife 1938.jpg|thumb|left|Bradman with wife (left) in 1938 near [[Maidenhead]], England]]
Bradman first met Jessie Martha Menzies in 1920 when she boarded with the Bradman family, to be closer to school in Bowral. The couple married at St Paul's Anglican Church at [[Burwood, New South Wales|Burwood]], Sydney on 30 April 1932.<ref name=BDLEssay/> The two were devoted to each other.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HVHGsdJKhqYC&q=donald+bradman|title=Don Bradman: Challenging the Myth|last=Hutchins|first=Brett|date=23 September 2002|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9780521823845|language=en|access-date=10 November 2020|archive-date=31 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031220051/https://books.google.com/books?id=HVHGsdJKhqYC&q=donald+bradman#v=snippet&q=donald%20bradman&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> During their 65-year marriage, Jessie was "shrewd, reliable, selfless, and above all, uncomplicated...she was the perfect foil to his concentrated, and occasionally mercurial character".<ref>Williams (1996), pp. 78–79.</ref> Bradman paid tribute to his wife numerous times, once saying succinctly, "I would never have achieved what I achieved without Jessie".<ref>Eason (2004), p. 55.</ref>

The Bradmans lived in the same modest, suburban house in Holden Street, [[Kensington Park, South Australia|Kensington Park]], Adelaide, for all but the first three years of their married life.<ref name="trailpark">{{cite web|url=http://www.bradmantrail.com.au/story_2.php?from=trail&town=a&site=3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706102700/http://www.bradmantrail.com.au/story_2.php?from=trail&town=a&site=3|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 July 2011|title=The Bradman Trail|access-date=19 May 2008}}</ref> They experienced personal tragedy in raising their children: their first-born son died as an infant in 1936;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bradman.org.au/html/s03_faq/faqItem.asp?id=542|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831110622/http://www.bradman.org.au/html/s03_faq/faqItem.asp?id=542|archive-date=31 August 2007|title=Question: What were the difficulties faced in Sir Donald Bradmans life?|work=Bradman Museum|access-date=23 August 2008}}</ref> their second son, John (born in 1939), contracted [[polio]];<ref>{{Cite news | url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/10/20/1097951769296.html?from=storylhs | title=Just a few tears as Miller's tale celebrated | work=The Age | access-date=19 May 2008 | location=Melbourne | date=21 October 2004 | first=Greg | last=Baum | archive-date=15 June 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080615134320/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/10/20/1097951769296.html?from=storylhs | url-status=live }}</ref> and their daughter, Shirley, born in 1941, had [[cerebral palsy]] from birth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20010227026 |title=Death of Sir Donald Bradman |work=Parliament of New South Wales |access-date=19 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907185947/http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20010227026 |archive-date=7 September 2008 }}</ref> His family name proved a burden for [[John Bradman]]; he legally changed his last name to Bradsen in 1972. Although claims were made that he became estranged from his father, it was more a matter of "the pair inhabit[ing] different worlds", and the two remained in contact through the years.<ref>Eason (2004), p. 56.</ref> After the cricketer's death, a collection of personal letters written by Bradman to his close friend [[Rohan Rivett]] between 1953 and 1977 was released and gave researchers new insights into Bradman's family life, including the strain between father and son.<ref>Wallace, (2004), Chapter 6.</ref> However, John Bradman later rejected the view that his relationship with his father was strained.<ref>{{Citation |title=Being Bradman - Part 1 |date=27 July 2015 |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-27/being-bradman---part-one/6660594 |access-date=27 April 2023 |publisher=ABC News |language=en-AU |archive-date=27 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427121441/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-27/being-bradman---part-one/6660594 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Bradman's reclusiveness in later life is partly attributable to the ongoing health problems of his wife, particularly following the open-heart surgery Jessie underwent in her 60s.<ref name="Williamsp271">Williams (1996), p. 271.</ref> Lady Bradman died in 1997, aged 88, from cancer.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/1189778.stm|title=Bradman dies at 92|work=[[BBC Sport]]|access-date=19 May 2008|date=26 February 2001|archive-date=18 February 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040218073249/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/1189778.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> This had a dispiriting effect on Bradman,<ref>{{Cite news|title=I'm sorry Sir Don, it wasn't cricket; Bradman letters auction 'betrayal' brings apology to Australian icon | work=Herald Sun |location=Sydney |date=12 November 2000 |first1=Heath |last1=Gilmore |first2=Jim |last2=O'Rourke |first3=Daniel |last3=Dasey |page=3}}</ref> but the relationship with his son improved, to the extent that John resolved to change his name back to Bradman.<ref>{{Cite news|title=The Don's son takes back family name; A Bradman Once Again |work=The Advertiser |location=Adelaide |date=8 January 2000 |first=Michael |last=Duffy |page=1}}</ref><ref name="..0">{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-27/living-in-the-shadow-of-sir-donald-bradmans-fame/6647346|title=Sir Donald Bradman: Living in the shadow of The Don's fame|work=Australian Story|agency=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]|date=27 July 2015|access-date=12 March 2023|archive-date=7 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207092426/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-27/living-in-the-shadow-of-sir-donald-bradmans-fame/6647346|url-status=live}}</ref> Since his father's death, [[John Bradman]] has become the spokesperson for the family and has been involved in defending the Bradman legacy in a number of disputes.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/slam-down-a-bradman/2005/10/13/1128796654893.html |title=Feeling pretty average? Slam down a Bradman |work=smh.com.au |access-date=19 May 2008 |date=14 October 2005 |archive-date=22 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022131014/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/slam-down-a-bradman/2005/10/13/1128796654893.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s252953.htm|title=PM&nbsp;— Son warns of against Bradman worship|work=[[Australia Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]|access-date=19 May 2008|archive-date=2 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100902024153/http://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s252953.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The relationship between Bradman and his wider family is less clear, although nine months after Bradman's death, his nephew Paul Bradman criticised him as a "snob" and a "loner" who forgot his connections in Bowral and who failed to attend the funerals of Paul's mother and father.<ref>Eason (2004), p. 57.</ref>

In addition to Bradman's two children, he was survived by three grandchildren: [[Greta Bradman]], [[Tom Bradman]], and Nick Bradman.<ref>{{Citation |title=Being Bradman - Part 2 |date=3 August 2015 |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-03/being-bradman---part-two/6669658 |access-date=27 April 2023 |publisher=ABC News |language=en-AU |archive-date=27 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427113824/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-03/being-bradman---part-two/6669658 |url-status=live }}</ref> Greta Bradman is an operatic soprano, psychologist, and radio broadcaster.<ref name="..0"/> She has released multiple albums and performed at numerous national events in Australia, including the State Memorial Service of Shane Warne.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-30 |title=Greta Bradman to sing at Shane Warne's state memorial service |url=https://www.abc.net.au/classic/read-and-watch/news/greta-bradman-to-sing-at-shane-warnes-state-memorial-service/13819392 |access-date=2023-08-29 |website=ABC Classic |language=en-AU |archive-date=7 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207074419/https://www.abc.net.au/classic/read-and-watch/news/greta-bradman-to-sing-at-shane-warnes-state-memorial-service/13819392 |url-status=live }}</ref> Tom Bradman worked at the [[Australian Department of Agriculture]] before taking up farming, appearing on the Australian TV show [[Landline (TV series)|''Landline'']], where he discussed his approach to regenerative agriculture.<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 October 2017 |title=Don Bradman's grandson takes agricultural shot with 'regenerative' poultry farm |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-14/bradman-takes-agricultural-shot-with-regenerative-poultry-farm/9042356 |access-date=27 April 2023 |archive-date=27 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427114253/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-14/bradman-takes-agricultural-shot-with-regenerative-poultry-farm/9042356 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, Nick Bradman appeared on the front cover of the Australian newspaper [[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|''The Advertiser'']], after attaining a [[Australian Tertiary Admission Rank|university entrance score]] of 99.95 (eclipsing his grandfather's batting average of 99.94).<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 January 2017 |title=Batter than Average: Nick Bradman's university entrance score is almost the same as his legendary grandfather's batting average |url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=AAWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adelaidenow.com.au%2Fnews%2Fsouth-australia%2Fgrandson-the-the-don-nick-bradmans-university-entrance-score-is-almost-the-same-as-his-legendary-grandfathers-batting-average%2Fnews-story%2F2bebff6818bb481c39c96e3bed65d35d&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=dynamic-low-test-score&V21spcbehaviour=append |website=The Advertiser |access-date=27 April 2023 |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031221117/https://insight.adsrvr.org/track/up?adv=vrges6n&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adelaidenow.com.au%2Fsubscribe%2Fnews%2F1%2F%3FsourceCode%3DAAWEB_WRE170_a_GGL%26dest%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.adelaidenow.com.au%252Fnews%252Fsouth-australia%252Fgrandson-the-the-don-nick-bradmans-university-entrance-score-is-almost-the-same-as-his-legendary-grandfathers-batting-average%252Fnews-story%252F2bebff6818bb481c39c96e3bed65d35d%26memtype%3Danonymous%26mode%3Dpremium%26v21%3Ddynamic-low-test-score%26V21spcbehaviour%3Dappend&upid=ppd0qwm&upv=1.1.0 |url-status=live }}</ref> He subsequently received the [[University Medal]] in law from the [[Australian National University]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=ANU College of Law on LinkedIn: Congratulations to Nick Bradman, one of our outstanding mid-year graduates… |url=https://www.linkedin.com/posts/anu-college-of-law_congratulations-to-nick-bradman-one-of-our-activity-7088019766367424512-I6rx |access-date=2023-08-29 |website=www.linkedin.com |language=en |archive-date=29 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829031414/https://www.linkedin.com/posts/anu-college-of-law_congratulations-to-nick-bradman-one-of-our-activity-7088019766367424512-I6rx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-10-24 |title=University Medal and Postgraduate Medal for Academic Excellence |url=https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/prizes/university-medal-and-postgraduate-medal-for-academic |access-date=2023-08-29 |website=ANU |language=en |archive-date=29 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829031414/https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/prizes/university-medal-and-postgraduate-medal-for-academic |url-status=live }}</ref>

==In popular culture==
{{main|Don Bradman in popular culture}}
[[File:Don Bradman statue at Adelaide Oval.jpg|thumb|Bradman statue outside the [[Adelaide Oval]]]]

Bradman's name has become an [[archetypal name]] for outstanding excellence, both within cricket and in the wider world. The term ''Bradmanesque'' has been coined and is used both within and outside cricketing circles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/bradmanesque|title=Bradmanesque|website=www.collinsdictionary.com|access-date=30 January 2022|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142632/https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/bradmanesque|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=35omDAAAQBAJ&q=what+does+bradmanesque+mean&pg=PT187|title=The Picador Book of Cricket|first=Ramachandra|last=Guha|date=30 June 2016|publisher=Pan Macmillan|via=Google Books|isbn=9781509841400|access-date=10 November 2020|archive-date=31 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031221108/https://books.google.com/books?id=35omDAAAQBAJ&q=what+does+bradmanesque+mean&pg=PT187#v=snippet&q=what%20does%20bradmanesque%20mean&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.capitalmarket.co.in/Cmedit/story1-6.asp?SNo=148986|title=Market in Bradmanesque form|date=7 February 2007|work=www.capitalmarket.co.in|access-date=2 March 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721153639/http://www.capitalmarket.co.in/Cmedit/story1-6.asp?SNo=148986|archive-date=21 July 2011}}</ref> [[Steve Waugh]] described [[Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lankan]] [[Muttiah Muralitharan]] as "the Don Bradman of bowling".<ref>{{Cite magazine| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100916100235/http://www.time.com/time/asia/2004/heroes/hmuttiah_muralitharan.html |title = Asia's Heroes&nbsp;— Muttiah Muralitharan | magazine = Time | access-date = 23 August 2008 | last = Perrin |first=Andrew| date = 4 October 2004 | archive-date = 16 September 2010 | url-status = dead | url =http://www.time.com/time/asia/2004/heroes/hmuttiah_muralitharan.html}}</ref>

Bradman has been the subject of the second-most biographies of any Australian, behind only the [[bushranger]] [[Ned Kelly]].<ref>Eason (2004), p. 184.</ref> Bradman himself wrote four books: ''Don Bradman's Book: The Story of My Cricketing Life with Hints on Batting, Bowling and Fielding'' (1930), ''My Cricketing Life'' (1938), ''Farewell to Cricket'' (1950) and ''[[The Art of Cricket]]'' (1958).<ref name=TelOb/> The story of the Bodyline series was retold in a [[Bodyline (miniseries)|1984 television mini-series]], with [[Gary Sweet]] portraying Bradman.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23192375-5015730,00.html |title=Real life drama on TV |last=Crook |first=Frank |date=8 February 2008 |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=24 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307162021/http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0%2C22049%2C23192375-5015730%2C00.html |archive-date=7 March 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Bradman has been immortalised in various popular songs of very different styles and eras. Here are some of the more well-known songs about him:

* "[[Our Don Bradman]]", a jaunty ditty written by [[Jack O'Hagan]] and performed by Art Leonard, was recorded during 1930.
* "[[Leaps and Bounds (song)|Leaps and Bounds" / "Bradman]]", written and performed by [[Paul Kelly (Australian musician)|Paul Kelly]], appeared on the CD release of Kelly's 1987 album ''[[Under the Sun (Paul Kelly album)|Under the Sun]]''.<ref>[http://www.paulkelly.com.au/lyrics/bradman.html Paul Kelly – Lyrics & Guitar Tabs – "Bradman"<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831061834/http://www.paulkelly.com.au/lyrics/bradman.html|date=31 August 2007}}</ref>
* "The Tiger And The Don", written and performed by [[Ted Egan]], released on the 1989 album ''This Land Australia'' and the 2003 album ''The Land Downunder''.<ref>{{Citation |title=Ted Egan - This Land Australia |year=1989 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/21391243-Ted-Egan-This-Land-Australia |language=en |access-date=26 August 2022}}</ref>
* "Sir Don", a 1996 tribute written by [[John Williamson (singer)|John Williamson]], who performed it at Bradman's Memorial Service.
* He was featured in the infamous 2007 "[[The Chaser's War on Everything#Controversies and well-known stunts|Eulogy Song]]" written by [[Chris Taylor (comedian)|Chris Taylor]] of [[The Chaser]], in which his bad temper and overall crankiness was outlined.<ref>{{Citation |title=Chaser Eulogy Song High Quality |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtxqohNtLIg |language=en |access-date=26 August 2022}}</ref>
* [[Greg Champion]] wrote and recorded the comedic song "I Was A Mate of Don Bradman" for his 2009 album ''Strayana''.<ref>{{Citation |title=I Was a Mate of Don Bradman by Greg Champion - Track Info {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/i-was-a-mate-of-don-bradman-mt0020324140 |language=en |access-date=26 August 2022}}</ref>

Bradman recorded several songs accompanying himself and others on piano in the early 1930s, including "Every Day Is A Rainbow Day For Me"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/dimensions/dimensions_people/Transcripts/s914231.htm |title=Dimensions transcript of interview with Kamahl |work=[[Australia Broadcasting Corporation]] |access-date=17 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022035138/http://www.abc.net.au/dimensions/dimensions_people/Transcripts/s914231.htm |archive-date=22 October 2008 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> with [[Jack Lumsdaine]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article225338934 |title=BRADMAN, SONGWRITER |newspaper=[[The Sun (Sydney)|The Sun]] |issue=1447 |location=Sydney |date=21 December 1930 |access-date=3 March 2018 |page=17 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>  In 2000, the Australian Government made it illegal for the names of corporations to suggest a link to "Sir Donald Bradman" if such a link does not, in fact, exist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comlaw.gov.au/ComLaw/Legislation/LegislativeInstrument1.nsf/0/F3604B95F924058CCA256F700080D218?OpenDocument | work = Corporations Regulations 2001| title = Corporations Amendment Regulations 2000 (No 8)|access-date = 17 June 2008}}</ref> Other entities with similar protection include the Australian and foreign governments, Saint [[Mary MacKillop]], the Royal Family, and the [[Returned and Services League of Australia]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.comlaw.gov.au/comlaw/Legislation/LegislativeInstrumentCompilation1.nsf/0/7E47DF8DD350AF2DCA25732300164F24?OpenDocument | title = Corporations Regulations 2001|access-date = 17 June 2008}}</ref>

In 2014, the [[Adelaide Symphony Orchestra]] premiered a "multimedia musical portrait" called ''Our Don'' that had been nearly three years in the making. Greta Bradman performed during the event.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bradman honoured with musical |url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/sir-donald-bradman-adelaide-symphony-orchestra-tribute/2014-08-14 |access-date=25 August 2022 |website=cricket.com.au |date=14 August 2014 |language=en}}</ref>

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book|title=How to Play Cricket|year=1935|author=Bradman, Don|publisher=Associated Newspapers Ltd, London}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Cricket}}
* [[List of Test cricket records]]
* [[ICC Player Rankings]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
{{refbegin|colwidth=30em}}
* Baldwin, Mark (2005): ''The Ashes' Strangest Moments: Extraordinary But True Tales from Over a Century of the Ashes'', Franz Steiner Verlag. {{ISBN|1-86105-863-2}}.
* Bradman, Don (1950): ''Farewell to Cricket'', 1988 Pavilion Library reprint. {{ISBN|1-85145-225-7}}.
* Cashman, Richard et al.&nbsp;– editors (1996): ''The Oxford Companion to Australian Cricket'', Oxford University Press. {{ISBN|0-19-553575-8}}.
* Coleman, Robert (1993): ''Seasons in the Sun: the Story of the Victorian Cricket Association'', Hargreen Publishing Company. {{ISBN|0-949905-59-3}}.
* Davis, Charles (2000): ''The Best Of the Best: A New Look at the Great Cricketers and Changing Times'', ABC Books. {{ISBN|0-7333-0899-6}}.
* [[Keith Dunstan|Dunstan, Keith]] (1988, rev. ed.): ''The Paddock That Grew'', Hutchinson Australia. {{ISBN|0-09-169170-2}}.
* Eason, Alan (2004): ''The A-Z of Bradman'', ABC Books. {{ISBN|0-7333-1517-8}}.
* [[Jack Fingleton|Fingleton, Jack]] (1949): ''Brightly Fades the Don'', 1985 Pavilion Library reprint. {{ISBN|0-907516-69-6}}.
* [[David Frith|Frith, David]] (2002): ''Bodyline Autopsy'', ABC Books. {{ISBN|0-7333-1321-3}}.
* [[Barry Gibbs (cricket)|Gibbs, Barry]] (2001): ''My Cricket Journey'', Wakefield Press. {{ISBN|1-86254-569-3}}.
* Harte, Chris (1993): ''A History of Australian Cricket'', André Deutsch. {{ISBN|0-233-98825-4}}.
* [[Gideon Haigh|Haigh, Gideon]]. "Sir Donald Bradman at 100." ''[[The Monthly]]'', August 2008.
* Haigh, Gideon (1993): ''The Cricket War – the Inside Story of Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket'', Text Publishing Company. {{ISBN|1-86372-027-8}}.
* Hutchins, Brett (2002): ''Don Bradman: Challenging the Myth'', Cambridge University Press. {{ISBN|0-521-82384-6}}.
* [[Bill O'Reilly (cricketer)|O'Reilly, Bill]] (1985): ''Tiger – 60 Years of Cricket'', William Collins. {{ISBN|0-00-217477-4}}.
* [[Alan McGilvray|McGilvray, Alan]] & Tasker, Norman (1985): ''The Game Is Not the Same'', ABC Books. {{ISBN|978-0-642-52738-7}}.
* Page, Michael (1983): ''Bradman – The Illustrated Biography'', Macmillan Australia. {{ISBN|0-333-35619-5}}.
* [[Roland Perry|Perry, Roland]] (1995): ''The Don – A Biography of Sir Donald Bradman'', Macmillan. {{ISBN|0-7329-0827-2}}.
* [[Ray Robinson (cricket writer)|Robinson, Ray]] (1981 rev. ed.): ''On Top Down Under'', Cassell Australia. {{ISBN|0-7269-7381-5}}.
* [[Irving Rosenwater|Rosenwater, Irving]] (1978): ''Sir Donald Bradman – A Biography'', Batsford. {{ISBN|0-7134-0664-X}}.
* Wallace, Christine (2004): ''The Private Don'', Allen & Unwin. {{ISBN|978-1-74175-158-1}}.
* [[Richard Whitington|Whitington, RS]] (1974): ''The Book of Australian Test Cricket 1877–1974'', Wren Publishing. {{ISBN|0-85885-197-0}}.
* [[Charles Williams, Baron Williams of Elvel|Williams, Charles]] (1996): ''Bradman: An Australian Hero'', 2001 Abacus reprint. {{ISBN|0-349-11475-7}}.
* ''[[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack]]'': various editions, accessed via [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/almanack/index.html ESPN Cricinfo]
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{ESPNcricinfo|id=4188}}
* [https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Articles/0/319.html A profile of Don Bradman by Dave Liverman]
* [http://www.bradman.org.au/ Bradman Museum and Bradman Oval]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040307014328/http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/bradman/records1.htm Bradman Digital Library]—[[State Library of South Australia]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070708094609/http://www.bradmantrail.com.au/ The Bradman Trail]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120221225301/http://www.pictureaustralia.org/search/don%20bradman Don Bradman on Picture Australia]
* [http://australianscreen.com.au/titles/don-bradman-england/clip1/ Interview with Bradman 1930]
* [http://www.abc.net.au/schoolstv/australians/bradman.htm Don Bradman — TV documentary] — [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]
* [http://www.google.com.au/images?rlz=1T4TSAU_enAU392AU393&q=sir+donald+bradman&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=UFowTZSpHMWycKHPuLkH&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=5&ved=0CE4QsAQwBA&biw=833&bih=400 Some images of Don Bradman, including some showing Don Bradman's batting technique]
* Listen to a young [http://aso.gov.au/titles/spoken-word/1930-australian-xi-ashes/ Don Bradman speaking] after the 1930 Ashes tour on [http://aso.gov.au/ australianscreen online]

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{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Australia national cricket captains#Test match captains|Australian Test cricket captain]]|years=1936/7–1938<br/>1946/7–1948}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Test cricket records#Innings or series|World record – Highest individual score in Test cricket]]|years=334 vs England at Leeds, 1930}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[List of first-class cricket records#Highest individual score|Highest individual score in first-class cricket]]|years=452 not out [https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/13/13341.html New South Wales v Queensland at Sydney 1929–30]}} 
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