In his eleven Test series, Bradman had
topped both the aggregates and averages for Australia six times, including the
Bodyline series. In 1934 he had the highest aggregate by far, but was second to
Ponsford in the averages by a fraction of a run. In 1938 he headed the
averages, and trailed Brown in the run charts, but had been unable to bat in
the Oval Test. In the other three series he was always close to the top. Don
Bradman never failed.
The Don scored more than 500 runs in a
series seven times; he averaged above 100 four times and in the nineties
thrice. He logged up more than 900 runs in a rubber once, and above 800 runs
and 700 runs twice each. That was the extent of his wizardry. Of those 11
series, Australia won 8 and lost 2 - Bradman’s first and the Bodyline assault,
and never thereafter - and drew one. From 1934, Australia held the Ashes for 19
years - inclusive of the war years - until a series after Bradman’s retirement,
six series in a row. If one man ever influenced Ashes contests, it was obviously
The Don.
As captain, Bradman was never defeated
in a series, winning four and drawing the one in which he could not bat in the
lost Test. Australia won 15 of those Tests, drew 6 and lost 3. After the war,
Bradman did not lose a single Test, won three series and averaged over 100 with
the bat. Two of these three series were Ashes battles. And they said he had
slowed down, was just a shadow of his former self! The truth is that the ageing
lion roared, very loudly.
Bradman himself put all these amazing
numbers in perspective in his Farewell to
Cricket: “Figures are not conclusive, especially short-term figures, but it
is difficult to avoid their significance if a man produces them year after year
against every type of opponent and under all conceivable conditions.”
(Author
Indra Vikram Singh can be contacted on email singh_iv@hotmail.com. Follow
Indra Vikram Singh on Twitter @IVRajpipla).
Don’s Century
Published
by Sporting Links
ISBN
978-81-901668-5-0, Fully Illustrated
French
Fold 21.5 cm x 28 cm, 188 Pages
Price
Rupees 995
Indra
Vikram Singh’s latest books published by Sporting Links:
A Maharaja’s Turf ISBN
978-81-901668-3-6
The Big Book of World Cup Cricket ISBN
978-81-901668-4-3
Don’s Century ISBN
978-81-901668-5-0
Crowning Glory ISBN
978-81-901668-6-7
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