Don Bradman inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame
One of the best-known names in world sport, the late Don Bradman, was formally inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame at the Bradman Oration at the Melbourne Cricket Ground today (Thursday).
The Hall of Fame, run in association with the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA), recognises some of the truly great players from cricket's long and illustrious history. And there are probably no more deserving inductees than Bradman, who dominated the sport like no other batsman before or since.
A commemorative cap was presented to Bradman's grandson, Tom, by International Cricket Council (ICC) Director and Cricket Australia Chairman Jack Clarke while Greg Chappell, another ICC Cricket Hall of Famer who delivered the keynote speech of the evening, looked on.
"He would have been very honoured to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame," said Tom Bradman.
"The induction recognises and contributes to a legacy of which we, the Bradman family, are extremely proud and we are delighted to receive the cap on his behalf."
Bradman's statistics alone are enough to explain why he is perhaps the greatest batsman of all time as he becomes the latest inductee into the Hall of Fame in this centenary year of the ICC.
He played 52 Test matches for Australia scoring 6,996 runs at an amazing average of 99.94. He scored 29 centuries and 13 half-centuries, thus averaging one significant score for every 1.9 innings played.
In first-class cricket he made 28,067 runs, hitting 117 centuries with an average of 95.14.
Alongside fellow Hall of Fame member WG Grace, Bradman is one of the most recognised names in cricketing history, a name synonymous with Australian cricket and stellar batting. He became a beloved Australian hero and a cultural icon, managing to transcend sport into the consciousness of the entire nation.
Born in 1908 in Cootamundra, New South Wales, he made his Test debut on 30 November 1928 in Brisbane against England, as side he faced 37 times during his Test-playing career.
Bradman still holds the record for the best batting average for an Australian against England scoring 5,028 runs at an average of 89.78.
Known affectionately as the Don, he passed away in 2001, with many of his Test batting records still unsurpassed in the 53 previous years since his retirement.
One of his most well-known Ashes battles took place at Headingley against England in the third Test match where he made a remarkable total of 334 off 448 balls, an innings that included 46 fours.
Bradman played during the same era as a number of the other ICC Cricket Hall of Famers including Australia's Ray Lindwall, Bill O'Reilly, Keith Miller, Clarrie Grimmett, Neil Harvey and England's Wally Hammond, Jack Hobbs, Harold Larwood, Denis Compton and Len Hutton.
He captained Australia in 24 matches between 1936 and 1948, winning 15 of those games of which 11 were won against England in the Ashes series played during that time frame.
The cap presentation ceremony is a key part of the celebrations to mark the ICC's centenary year as it acknowledges the greats of the game and the contributions they have made to ensure cricket is a great sport with a great spirit.