Remembering The Don: Lesser-known facts about Bradman’s career
Don Bradman, the greatest ever cricketer to have played the game passed away on this day in 2001. Bradman’s record of finishing with an average of 99.94 in Test cricket is known to everyone. However, there are many other unknown records held by the legend which few people know.
Here we list out 5 such records:
Average of 110+ in Sheffield Shield
Don scored 8926 runs in Australia’s domestic tournament, the Sheffield Shield at an extraordinary average of 110.19. This included 36 centuries and 20 half-centuries. Apart from him, only Barry Richards has an average of over 100 in the tournament.
Most triple centuries in first-class cricket
Bradman hit a total of six triple centuries in first-class cricket, the most by any player. He also hit the joint-most triple hundreds (2) in Test cricket, and also had a best score of 299* in his career. His highest score among first-class triple centuries was 452 not out against Queensland while playing for New South Wales.
Most runs against a single opposition
Among the 6996 Test runs Bradman scored in his career, 5028 runs came against England in 37 matches. This is the highest tally of runs by any batsman against a single opposition. English cricketer Jack Hobbs (3636 runs vs Australia) is on the second spot in this list.
20 years ago today, cricket farewelled one of the true greats. The Invincible Don Bradman. A name that will be remembered forever. pic.twitter.com/w6124vQSSc
— SACA News (@SACAnews) February 24, 2021
Average of 201.5 against South Africa
Bradman played five Tests against South Africa in which he made 806 runs at an incredible average of 201.5. This includes four centuries with the highest score of 299 not out.
Fastest to multiples of 1000 runs
Don holds the record for becoming the fastest to 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 and 6000 runs in Test cricket. He finished his career at 6996 runs, or he would have achieved the milestone of the fastest to 7000 runs as well. He completed his 1000 Test runs in 13 innings, the second-fastest by any player. However, as he progressed, his performance kept improving which resulted in such humongous numbers.
