Why Don Bradman is arguably the best batsman ever
When people discuss the all-time great players in cricket history, Don Bradman is often mentioned. Lovingly called ‘The Don’, Bradman is often considered one of the best batsmen ever. While calling him the pinnacle of batting seems bold, his remarkable legacy and unbelievable statistics make a compelling case.
Bradman was a dominant player
Bradman played during a time when batting was more difficult than it is today. He played in uncovered pitches that were unpredictable. During those days, there was limited protective gear, so they didn’t play with helmets, gloves, or pads. That meant it would have been tougher and more dangerous to be a batsman, but Bradman made it look easy.
During his career, Bradman was dominant, which was enough for England to use their infamous Bodyline tactic to stop him. That was a brutal and short-pitched attack aimed at his body, so he would find it tough to bat away. Despite that being effective, Bradman still affected the game with good batting.
That is proven by his Test numbers, averaging 99.4 runs in matches. Those are absurd numbers because it meant he would have had a century in almost every match he played. Bradman was not only a prolific batsman, but he was also the biggest threat on the field.
Bradman’s amazing impact
During the Great Depression in Australia, the nation needed hope and inspiration. For a lot of people, Bradman was the man who lifted their spirits at a time when the country was struggling. Cricket was the sport that enticed people and Bradman consistently delivered awesome performances, which kept the people happy and captivated.
The country became a dominant force in world cricket because of Bradman. He was even knighted for his services to the game, one of a few cricketers to receive such an honour. Bradman has a lasting legacy because of his achievements on the field, with tributes found across Australia through stamps, coins, museums, and awards in his honour.
Bradman stacks up to the modern greats
Bradman will inevitably get compared to the modern-day greats like Sachin Tendulkar, Steve Smith, and Virat Kohli. Today’s players benefit from having advanced equipment and optimal pitch conditions, Bradman did not have that back in the day. Despite that, he kept up with their numbers, which is an impressive feat due to the sport’s evolution since Bradman’s playing days.
Even though he played fewer matches, Bradman’s dominance still stands tall against everyone. He has a strong case for being one of the greatest batsmen in history, possibly the greatest to ever do it. The Don stands head and shoulders above most of the cricket world, potentially surpassing every batsman who has ever played the sport.
