Don Bradman: Australia's 99.94 Average, 6,996 Test Runs, the Greatest Batsman in Cricket History
Sir Donald Bradman is universally regarded as the greatest batsman in the history of cricket. Born in Cootamundra, New South Wales, in 1908, he scored 6,996 Test runs at an average of 99.94 in 52 Tests — an average so far above anyone else's that it is considered the greatest statistical outlier in any team sport. He needed just 4 runs in his final Test innings (at The Oval in 1948) to achieve a 100 average, but was dismissed for 0 by a googly from Eric Hollies. He scored 29 centuries in 52 Tests at an average nearly double that of any other batsman with comparable matches played. He captained Australia's 'Invincibles' team of 1948, which toured England undefeated in a full tour. He was knighted in 1949.
Sir Donald George Bradman was born on 27 August 1908 in Cootamundra, New South Wales, Australia. He made his Test debut against England in November 1928 at Brisbane. His batting technique combined exceptional hand-eye coordination, a grip and stance that was considered unorthodox (he used a cross-bat, rotational grip rather than the textbook V-grip), and an extraordinary ability to score runs at pace without taking undue risk. He scored 334 at Headingley, Leeds, in July 1930 against England — the highest Test score at the time — before being dismissed by Herbert Sutcliffe running between wickets. His first-class average across all cricket was 95.14.
The 99.94 Average — the Greatest Statistical Outlier in Sport
Bradman's Test batting average of 99.94 is widely considered the most remarkable statistical achievement in any team sport. The next-highest Test average among batsmen with over 20 completed innings is around 61 (Graeme Pollock; then Sangakkara at 57.40). Bradman's 99.94 is therefore around 38% higher than the next-best. Statisticians have calculated that the equivalent outlier in baseball would be a career batting average of .392 (compared to the actual record of .366 by Ty Cobb). He played 52 Tests between 1928 and 1948, scoring 6,996 runs with 29 centuries and 13 fifties. He was dismissed for a duck only 7 times in 80 innings.
The Duck at The Oval and the 1948 Invincibles
Bradman's final Test innings came at The Oval, London, against England on 14 August 1948. He needed just 4 runs to achieve a Test career average of 100. He walked out to a standing ovation from the England team and crowd, appeared visibly emotional, and was bowled second ball by leg-spinner Eric Hollies for a duck. His average finished at 99.94. The 1948 Australian team — the 'Invincibles' — completed the first English tour since 1930 without losing a single match. Bradman captained the side, which included Keith Miller, Neil Harvey, Sid Barnes, Ray Lindwall, and Don Tallon. He retired from cricket in 1948 and was knighted in 1949. He died on 25 February 2001 aged 92.
Frequently asked questions
What is Don Bradman's Test batting average?
Don Bradman's Test batting average is 99.94 — the highest in Test cricket history and one of the greatest statistical records in all of sport. He scored 6,996 runs in 52 Tests with 29 centuries and 13 fifties. He needed just 4 runs in his final Test innings (at The Oval in 1948) to average 100, but was dismissed for 0 by Eric Hollies' googly. No batsman with over 20 completed Test innings has an average above 61.37 (Graeme Pollock), meaning Bradman's average is around 38% higher than the next-best.
Who were Australia's 1948 Invincibles?
Australia's 1948 Invincibles were the Australian cricket team that toured England in 1948, captained by Don Bradman, and completed the full tour without losing a single match — the only team to have done so in the post-war era. The team included Don Bradman, Keith Miller, Neil Harvey, Ray Lindwall, Sid Barnes, Arthur Morris, and Don Tallon. Bradman, in the final series of his career, scored 508 runs at 72.57 in the five Tests. The unbeaten tour record — across all first-class matches, not just Tests — remains the benchmark for touring excellence.