Icons of World Sport - Don Bradman

SIR Donald Bradman's iconic status as a sportsman, national treasure and international influence will remain intact and unchallenged as long as the game of cricket exists. Bradman's ranking as the game's greatest ever batsman is undeniable. A test average of 99.94 and a century every third innings are marks that will never been challenged. Indeed, the modern greats, led by India’s maestro Sachin Tendulkar, concede Bradman hero status, a poignant fact given Bradman declared Tendulkar his like-image. Beyond the statistics, Bradman’s status within the cricketing world can be measured by the number of champion players and leading administrators, as well as an adoring public, who craved an audience with the great man across all generations. He was the hero Australia needed during the years of the Great Depression and World War II, someone to look up to and take their minds off their hardships. This adoration didn’t stop when he hung up his bat either, as an administrator he was regarded as the most astute in world cricket. He mingled with royalty, political heavyweights and the leading cricketers of seven generations, yet, importantly never lost the common touch. He spent hours every day, even up to his death at 92, replying to letters and requests in a selfless gesture to maintain and strengthen the people’s love of the game. This new book, Icons of World Sport - Don Bradman, is the official book of the Bradman Centenary commemorations and is fully endorsed by the Bradman Foundation, which exists to promote cricket as a valuable cultural and sporting force within the community under the auspices of his legacy. The book, using rare and previously unpublished photographs from The Bradman Foundation and other private collections, as well as memorabilia and personal items, relates Bradman’s tale from its humble beginnings in the countryside of New South Wales, Australia to international cricket stardom and homage. We discover his in