Sir Donald Bradman’s 25th Death Anniversary: 5 Lesser-Known Facts About The Late Australian Great

Arguably among the greatest batters of all time, Sir Donald Bradman passed away on February 25 in 2001, marking today as his 25th death anniversary. Although the New South Welshman featured only in 52 Tests from 1928 to 1948, the right-hander holds the highest Test batting average of all time with a jaw-dropping 99.94. In 52 Tests, Bradman accumulated 6996 runs with 29 centuries alongside a best of 334.

Here are 5 lesser-known facts about Sir Donald Bradman:

5) Don Bradman is the only Australian cricketer to score 100 first-class centuries:

The late Australian great is the only Australian to cross 100 first-class hundreds, amassing 117 in 234 appearances. Bradman accomplished the feat against a touring Indian side in Sydney on November 15, 1947. He completed the landmark by driving G Kishenchand for a single. Bradman is also the quickest to complete the milestone, doing so only in 295 innings.

4) Don Bradman never got stumped in his Test career:

In his 52-Test career and spanning 80 innings, the late Aussie batter never got stumped in what has been an astonishing feat. The majority of his dismissals were caught, while some involved lbw. Bradman was also run-out only once in his Test career.

3) Don Bradman needed four runs in his final innings to achieve the perfect average:

Having played most of his Tests against England, Bradman's final Test was also against the old enemy at the Kia Oval, London in 1948. According to a report by a statistician, the star cricketer needed only four runs in that game to achieve the perfect average of 100. However, he was bowled by Eric Hollies for a two-ball duck, with the latter claiming a fifer. With Australia winning by an innings and 149 runs and not batting again, the right-hander did not bat again in the match.

2) Don Bradman also worked as an umpire:

Having featured his final Test in 1948 and last first-class fixture in 1949, Bradman proved himself as a keen student of the game beyond his playing career. According to reports, he passed the New South Wales Cricket Umpire Exam in 1993. Hence, he stood as an umpire in some South Australian Grade matches when time permitted.

1) Don Bradman once scored century in three overs:

When we talk of modern-day swashbuckling batters, the likes of AB de Villiers, Jos Buttler and Glenn Maxwell. However, Bradman seemed to be a player from the future. With the over then consisting of eight balls, Bradman starred in a first-class match for Blackheath XI against Lithgow in November 1931. He thrashed Bill Black for 33 runs, followed by Horrie Baker for 40. Black returned to concede another 29 to race to a blazing ton.

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