Amazing achievements of Don Bradman in his eleven Test series. Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s book ‘Don’s Century’

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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