Don Bradman, Australian cricketer - autographs and signatures on menus, programs, letters and scorecards

Sir Donald George Bradman, commonly known as Don Bradman, was an Australian cricketer born on August 27, 1908, in Cootamundra, New South Wales. He is widely considered as the greatest batsman of all time, and his records and achievements in cricket remain unparalleled even after several decades.

Bradman was the youngest of five children born to George Bradman and Emily Whatman. His father was a farmer, and Bradman grew up in Bowral, New South Wales, where he developed a love for cricket. He started playing cricket with a makeshift bat and ball in his backyard and soon became adept at the sport. He made his debut for Bowral Cricket Club at the age of 12 and scored his first century in a club match at the age of 14.

In 1927, Bradman was selected to play for the New South Wales state team, and he made his first-class debut more... against South Australia. He quickly established himself as a prolific run-scorer and earned his place in the Australian team for the 1928-29 series against England. In his debut Test match, Bradman scored 18 and 1, but he made amends in the next Test match, scoring 79 and 112.

Bradman's career took off from there, and he soon became the dominant batsman in world cricket. He played 52 Test matches for Australia and scored 6,996 runs at an astonishing average of 99.94, which is still the highest in the history of Test cricket. Bradman scored 29 Test centuries, including two triple centuries, and his highest Test score of 334 not out came against England in 1930.

In addition to his Test career, Bradman also played first-class cricket for South Australia and New South Wales, and he scored a staggering 28,067 runs in 234 first-class matches at an average of 95.14. He retired from international cricket in 1948, and his last Test match was against England at The Oval.

After his playing career, Bradman served as a cricket administrator and also worked as a journalist and commentator. He was knighted in 1949 for his services to cricket, and he passed away on February 25, 2001, at the age of 92. Don Bradman's legacy as the greatest batsman of all time remains intact, and his records and achievements continue to inspire future generations of cricketers. less...