Bradman dead at 92, cricket world mourns

Bradman dead at 92, cricket world mourns
Julian Linden

FEB 26: Sir Donald Bradman, the greatest batsman in Test cricket history and Australia's most revered sporting figure, has died in Adelaide. He was 92.

The Director of the Bradman Foundation, Richard Mulvaney, said Bradman died in his sleep on Sunday morning with his family by his side.

``Sir Donald Bradman died yesterday morning, peacefully at his home, after a short illness with pneumonia,'' Mulvaney said.

When news of Bradman's death broke on Monday morning, Australian television and radio interrupted their regular programmes to announce his passing. It quickly became the lead item on news broadcasts, and made headlines around the world.

Cricketers from around the world joined personalities from across Australia in paying tribute to him.

Bradman is survived by his son John and his daughter Shirley.

His wife Jessie died of cancer, aged 88, in September 1997 after 65 years of marriage. Until the day he died, Bradman mourned the end of his greatest partnership.

Newspapers in Sydney and Adelaide produced afternoon editions commemorating him.

Australia's cricket-loving Prime Minister John Howard took time out from his visit to New Zealand to pass on his condolences to Bradman's family.

Howard said Bradman was not just a great cricketer but also a man who had brought hope to millions of Australians during the despair of the Great Depression and Second World War.

``He was a dominant Australian personality in a way that I don't think any other person has been in the last 100 years,'' Howard told reporters.

``He was a person who at a time of economic and social despair during the depression lifted the spirits of the Australian people and gave them heart and a sense of belief in themselves.''

The premier of South Australia, where Bradman lived, said the government had offered to honour the batting legend with a state funeral if the family agreed.

But Bradman's son John issued a statement to say his father had requested a private cremation. He said a public memorial would be held in about two or three weeks.

TRIBUTES POUR IN: Mulvaney said the Australia's postal service had agreed to provide condolence books at around 190 offices throughout the country.

International Cricket Council President, Malcolm Gray, said Bradman's contribution to the game was immeasurable while ACB chairman Denis Rogers said he had left a legacy for generations to come.

``Just remember that this man left this positive legacy where everything is good and noble about the game of cricket,'' Rogers said.

Australia's former cricket captains also joined in paying tribute to Bradman.

Mark Taylor paid the ultimate compliment to Bradman in 1998 when he equalled his Australian Test batting record of 334 in a match against Pakistan but refused to better his mark, declaring his innings closed out of respect to him.

``Sir Donald is certainly the greatest Australian I have met,'' Taylor said. ``His innings may have closed but his legacy will forever live on in the hearts of millions of Australians.''

In Britain, former England captain Mike Gatting said: ``We all owe him a great deal. He continued to do a great deal for the game of cricket after he finished his career.

``I can comfortably say he was the best of his time and certainly the averages suggest he was the best of all time. I don't think we'll ever see his like again.''

SHUNNED PUBLICITY: Known simply as `The Don', Bradman became a national sporting icon during the 1930s and 1940s by rewriting cricket's record books.

He retired from first class cricket more than half a century ago, but his records remain the yardstick for sportsmen around the globe.

He played in 52 Tests for Australia between 1928-1948, scoring 6,996 runs at an average of 99.94, scoring 29 centuries.

But part of Bradman's legend is that in his final Test innings, against England in London in 1948, he was bowled second ball for a duck when he needed just four runs for a career average of 100.

Despite the anti-climax, Bradman's key statistics remain a source of fascination and bewilderment for generations of cricketers.

Of the many great players that have followed him to the wicket, none has come close to matching his feats.

In fact, only three batsmen, South Africa's Graeme Pollock (60.97), West Indian George Headley (60.83) and England's Herbert Sutcliffe (60.73), have bettered 60 over their Test career.

Bradman served as an Australian selector after his retirement but in later years shunned publicity, making only occasional public appearances and agreeing to even fewer media interviews.

Asked during a rare television interview in 1996 to explain why his records remained unchallenged, The Don struggled for an answer saying: ``I saw much better batsmen than I was. Lots of them...they just kept getting out.''

An intelligent man with a wonderful sense of wit, Bradman was also asked how he thought he might perform against modern bowling attacks.

Bradman replied he would average 65, before adding with a grin: ``You have to remember I am in my 80s.''

Bradman's amazing achievements made him a hero to cricket fans the world over.

When Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990 after more than 25 years behind bars, one of his first questions was to inquire whether Bradman was still alive.