99.94: The Number that Made Bradman Immortal
It’s a fascinating fact that Bradman’s fame is totally linked to the number 99.94. As his final innings approached, Bradman needed just four runs to secure an average of 100 — an achievement that would have immortalized him in the history books in a different way. Before he came into bat, his average stood at an astonishing 101.39. However, as he had announced his retirement, All he had to do was score those four runs or remain unbeaten to maintain an average of 100, a number that would have been the benchmark of perfection in cricket.
But what truly makes Bradman legendary, and what keeps his name relevant even today, is the fact that he didn’t score those four runs. Instead, he was bowled for a duck, leaving his career average stranded at 99.94 — just a whisper away from the perfect 100. It’s a number that has become the most iconic in cricket history. Had he reached those four runs, Bradman would still have been celebrated, but perhaps not with the same reverence and veneration. People might have speculated that the conditions were in his favor, or that he had an advantage as a batter during that era.
Yet, it’s the fact that he fell just short, that he ended his career on 99.94, that has made his story so enduring. Today, as we celebrate his legacy on his birthday, we remember not just his incredible achievements but also the way he became an icon because of a near miss, rather than in spite of it.
He scored 12 double centuries in 80 making it one every 6.66 innings next best is one of the greatest itself Mr. Kumar Sangakkara, who scored 11 in 233 innings.
He is one of only 4 cricketers to have scored 2 triple centuries in Test cricket. He could have made it 3, but he was left stranded on 299 not out when Australia lost all their wickets against South Africa (only cricketer to remain not out on this iconic number), leaving him just one run shy of another historic milestone.
Here is the list of the records Sir Don has associated to his name:
- He has record for the highest runs as captain in a series. He scored 810 runs in 5 match series against England.
- Only man to score centuries in 6 consecutive test matches, the streak of centuries started against England in Melbourne in 1937 and kept on scoring centuries in each match till 1938 against England at Leeds.
- Only Test batsman to score more than 5,000 runs versus an opponent. (Which is due to the fact that there were only two established teams in his era England and Australia, South Africa was there too but England and Australia used to play against each other alot.)
- Most runs at No. 7 position in an innings. When he scored 270 against England in 3rd Test at Melbourne in 1937.
- Most runs in a day: when he scored 309 runs against England in Leeds in 1930 on first day of the test match.
- Most runs in a series: scored 974 runs against England in same 1930’s 5 match series. (see full list here).
Happy birthday to the legendary Sir Donald George Bradman.
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