The Most Famous “DUCK” of Test Cricket History

Without any question, Sir Donald Bradman was the greatest batsmen to have ever graced the game of cricket. An attacking batsman, Bradman had numerous batting records to his name. His whooping test average of 99.94 is still a challenge for the cricketers.

Bradman played many memorable knocks during his career but the last test innings he played often attracts the attention of cricket fraternity from time to time. What’s surprising about the innings was that it’s being talked about in-spite of the fact that Bradman failed to score in his last innings. Surprisingly, it became the most famous ‘DUCK” (Score of Zero) in the test cricket. Seven times in his test career, Bradman was out without scoring a run but it was his last duck that holds a special place in test cricket history.

1948 Ashes Series was held in England and Australia won the three out of the four tests under the leadership of Bradman. Prior to the last test at The Oval, Don announced his retirement. A great servant of the game of cricket, Don played some outstanding knocks in over 20 years of his test career. In his last test, Bradman needed just 4 runs (for once out) to complete 7000 test runs and to leave the game with a career average of 100. Considering his stature, it should be a cakewalk for him but destiny has planned something else for him.

While going at the pitch, Bradman received the standing ovation from the crowd of over 20000 fans who came to see their hero in his last test. Entire England Team gave three cheers to man who dominated the English attack for over two decades and played some memorable knocks against them.

Remembering his last innings, Bradman said in an interview, “It was a very emotional occasion because you had all these fielders around who gave me three cheers before I took block.”

Why it became "The Most Famous DUCK in the history of cricket?

 

Bradman survived the first ball but was bowled on the next ball which was a googly from the off-spinner Eric Hollies. Later on Australia won the match by an innings and 149 runs and it turned out to be the last innings for Bradman.

“Two slips, a silly mid-off, and a forward short leg close to him as Hollies pitches the ball up slowly and …he’s bowled…Bradman bowled Hollies … nought …”.  The above lines were taken from the commentary by John Arlott (BBC Commentator) during Bradman’s last innings. 

Its often seen in the cricket that many great batsmen got out for a duck but none of those innings ever being remembered but this duck was a special as Bradman test career ended with an average of 99.94.

“I was not aware it was going to be my last innings,” Bradman said decades later in an interview. “And neither was I aware at that stage that I wanted four runs to have a Test match average of 100,”, he added.

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Bradman Speech after the last test match:

“No matter what you may read to the contrary, this is definitely my last Test match ever. I am sorry my personal contribution has been so small. It has been a great pleasure for me to come on this tour and I would like you all to know how much I have appreciated it. We have played against a very lovable opening skipper. It will not be my pleasure to play ever again on this Oval but I hope it will not be the last time I come to England”.

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Sahir