Don Bradman's Test Average of 99.94
The Don: cricket's immortal with a 99.94 average.
Sir Donald George Bradman (27 August 1908 – 25 February 2001), nicknamed "the Don", was an Australian international cricketer, widely acknowledged as the greatest batsman of all time. His career Test batting average of 99.94 is considered by some to be the greatest achievement by any sportsman in any major sport.
Quick Facts
- Player
- Sir Donald George Bradman
- Team
- Australia National Cricket Team
- Record value
- 99.94
- Sport
- Test Cricket
- Career span
- 1928–1948
- Total matches
- 52 Tests
Lore & Background
The story that the young Bradman practised alone with a cricket stump and a golf ball is part of Australian folklore. His meteoric rise from bush cricket to the Australian Test team took just over two years. Before his 22nd birthday, he had set many records for top-scoring, some of which still stand, and became Australia's sporting idol at the height of the Great Depression. 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". A controversial set of tactics, known as Bodyline, was specially devised by the England team to curb his scoring. Following an enforced hiatus due to the Second World War, he made a dramatic comeback, captaining an Australian team known as "the Invincibles" on a record-breaking unbeaten tour of England.
Did You Know?
- Bradman invented his own solo cricket game using a cricket stump for a bat and a golf ball, rebounding the ball off a curved brick water tank stand.
- He hit his first century at age 12, scoring an undefeated 115 for Bowral Public School against Mittagong High School.
- Bradman was of English heritage on both sides and also partly of Italian lineage; one of his great-grandfathers was one of the first Italians to migrate to Australia in 1826.
- In 2009, he was inducted posthumously as an inaugural member into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Don Bradman's Test batting average?
Sir Donald George Bradman holds the highest Test batting average in history at exactly 99.94 runs per innings. This statistic is widely regarded as the most revered statistical achievement in the history of international cricket.
How many Tests did Don Bradman play to reach this record?
He compiled this extraordinary figure across a total of 52 Test matches played for Australia between 1928 and 1948. Despite playing fewer games than many modern players, his consistency remains unmatched.
Why is Bradman's average considered the greatest anomaly in sports?
The record is often cited as the greatest statistical anomaly in sports history because it remains unchallenged for over seventy years. It represents a level of consistency that has never been approached by any other player across the sport's long history.
Has any modern player ever surpassed Bradman's Test average?
While modern athletes have surpassed individual run totals or centuries scored, no one has come close to maintaining such an extraordinary average. The gap between Bradman and the next best averages highlights the uniqueness of his skill.
When did Don Bradman play during his Australian cricket career?
His active period with the national team ran from 1928 until his final match in 1948. This timeline encompasses his entire contribution as a player for Australia before retiring from international competition.
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