" What you think to be right may perhaps be right. But, to think that what YOU think ALONE to be ever RIGHT, is NOT right " ("Spring Leaves" by KMG )
" Cricket is a funny game", so it is said. Even the most renowned player may score a century or even two in one match, and may go out for a duck in another. That stark uncertainty itself, is the characteristic and star attraction of the game. Well, whatever it be, this popular game of cricket started as a leisurely game for nobles and lords in England. MCC was founded there in 1787. In the beginning, usually and casually played till all players (eleven) on each side, were out. Time was not a constraint. Even in India, the game used to extend upto even eight or nine days in its early years. With advent of test matches, the game came down to five days. Of course, much later the one-dayers came.
In the earlier years, the top teams were of England and Australia. However, in the history of world cricket, the most charismatic and challenging player was Don Bradman of Australia. In today's despatch, is given a brief life-sketch of this legendary figure, the brightest star in the firmament of cricket:
" Sir Donald Bradman, who died on 25 Feb 2001 at the ripe age of 92, was one of the sporting world's true immortals. The most efficient run-getter the game has ever seen, Bradman was the country-boy made good. Born at Cootamundra, in New South Wales, on 27 Aug 1908, he spent most of his formative years close to Sydney, in the rural town of Bowral, where a Museum of cricket memorablia now stands in his honor.
Bradman burst onto first class cricket scene in Sydney in 1927 as a promising boy from the bush. Over the next 21 years he completely re-wrote the record books, scoring a century on an average, every third time he went to the crease. He retired from test cricket in 1948 with a record that was challenging. In 52 tests for Australiahe amassed 6996 runs at an average of 99.94 from 80 visits to the crease, with ten double centuries and two triple centuries among his test knocks.
In all his first-class cricket, Bradman scored 28,067 runs at 95.14, including a staggering 117 centuries, 31 double centuries, five triple centuries, and one innings of 452 not out in 1929-30. Knighted after finally hanging up his bat in 1949, he retained close contact with cricket, for nearly four decades, as an administrator, selector and trustee. Throughout this time, remained an intensely private man. He rarely gave interviews, burying himself instead in his various business interests, and his other passion,playing golf
( Source: India Post CA March 2001 )
" Though critics opine that Sir Bradman was parsimonius in life and in praise, he was rarely so in case of Indian cricketeers. He hailed Amarnath and his team in 1947-48, and praised performance of Vijay Hazare, and publicly stood up for Vinoo Mankad. In later years, the reclusive Bradman showered rare praise on two of the greatest Indian batsmen, Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar.... He expressed even greater affection for Sachin, granting the young batsman a rare meeting on his (Bradman's) 90th birthday. He even paid Tendulkar a compliment any batsman would die for. Watching Tendulkar bat, reminded Sir Bradman of his own batting. Even his wife Jessie is said to have shared his thought. Like Tendulkar, Bradman was small, standing just 5ft 7 ins, and could collar any bowling attack in the world ".
( Source: India West CA March 2001 )
Well, that was a peep into the illustrious life of the great Don Bradman.
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