There are great batters, and then there is Sir Donald Bradman. His Test average of 99.94 remains the most famous number in cricket, so far ahead of everyone else that it still looks like a misprint. Nearly eight decades after his final Test, no one has come close.
From a country boy hitting a golf ball against a water tank to captain of the unbeaten 1948 Invincibles, this is the story of The Don. Discover more cricket greats in our cricket collection.
Don Bradman Fact File
| Full name | Sir Donald George Bradman |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 27 August 1908 |
| Place of birth | Cootamundra, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | 25 February 2001, Kensington Park, South Australia (aged 92) |
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Role | Right-handed batter, occasional leg-spinner |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Teams | New South Wales, South Australia, Australia |
| Nickname | The Don, The Boy from Bowral |
Career History
| Years | Team | Tests | Runs | Average | 100s | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1927/28–1933/34 | New South Wales | – | – | – | – | Highest first-class score of 452* v Queensland |
| 1928–1948 | Australia | 52 | 6,996 | 99.94 | 29 | 334 at Headingley (1930); captain of the 1948 Invincibles |
| 1935/36–1948/49 | South Australia | – | – | – | – | State side after moving to Adelaide |
Tests, runs, average and centuries are Test career totals for Australia; state rows show his domestic spells.
The Boy from Bowral
Donald George Bradman was born in Cootamundra, New South Wales, on 27 August 1908, and grew up in Bowral, which gave him his famous nickname. He made his name in New South Wales cricket in the late 1920s and was picked for Australia, making his Test debut against England on 30 November 1928.
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The 1930 Ashes: 974 Runs
Bradman's first tour of England in 1930 was simply astonishing. He scored 974 runs in the series, still the most by anyone in a single Test series, including 334 at Headingley, then the highest Test score. England had no answer, and the legend of The Don was born.
That dominance led England to devise the infamous Bodyline tactics for the 1932–33 series. Even then, Bradman averaged 56.57, a figure most batters would treasure across a whole career. Wear a slice of history with our Don Bradman Men's T-Shirt.
Captain of the Invincibles
After moving to South Australia in 1935, Bradman became Australia's captain, and his finest hour as leader came on the 1948 tour of England. His side went through the whole tour unbeaten and became known forever as the Invincibles.
His final Test innings at The Oval in 1948 produced cricket's most famous what-if. Needing just four runs to finish with an average of 100, he was bowled second ball by Eric Hollies for a duck. He ended with 6,996 runs in 52 Tests at 99.94, with 29 centuries. Our Don Bradman Men's Hoodie is a tribute to that unforgettable career.
Sir Don's Legacy
Bradman was knighted in the 1949 New Year Honours and became a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1979. He remained a towering figure in Australian cricket as an administrator and selector, and his name still stands for excellence in every corner of the cricketing world.
Honours
Records
- Test batting average of 99.94
- Most runs in a Test series: 974 (1930 Ashes)
- Highest first-class score: 452*
Team
- Captain of the unbeaten 1948 Invincibles
Individual
- Knight Bachelor (1949)
- Companion of the Order of Australia (1979)
Away From the Game
Bradman married Jessie Menzies in 1932, and they were together until her death. The Bradman Birthplace Museum in Cootamundra celebrates his roots, and his legacy lives on through cricket's love for the number 99.94.
FAQs
How old was Don Bradman when he died?
Sir Don Bradman died on 25 February 2001 at the age of 92.
Where was Don Bradman born?
He was born in Cootamundra, New South Wales, and grew up in Bowral.
How tall was Don Bradman?
Bradman stood 1.70 m, or 5 ft 7 in.
What was Don Bradman's Test batting average?
His Test average was 99.94, from 6,996 runs in 52 Tests.
Why didn't Bradman average 100?
In his final Test innings at The Oval in 1948 he needed four runs to average 100 but was bowled for a duck by Eric Hollies.
What is Bradman's highest score?
His highest Test score was 334 at Headingley in 1930, and his highest first-class score was 452 not out against Queensland.
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Don Bradman Men's Hoodie
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Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Sachin Tendulkar Career Story and Brian Lara Career Story.
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