Sir Donald George Bradman, AC (27 August, 1908—25 February, 2001), often called The Don, was an Australian cricketer, generally acknowledged as the greatest batsman of all time. blank">Cricinfo.com: Sir Donald Bradman player profile. Accessed 20 August 2007. Later in his career he was an administrator and writer on the game. Bradman is one of Australia's most popular sporting heroes, and one of the most respected past players in other cricketing nations. His career _Test batting average of 99.94 is by many measures the greatest statistical performance in any major sport.

The story of the young Don practising alone with a cricket stump and a golf ball is part of Australian folklore. Bradman’s meteoric rise from bush cricket to the Australian Test team took just over two years. Before his 22nd birthday, he set myriad records for high scoring (many of which stand even today) and became Australia's sporting idol at the height of the Great Depression. A controversial set of tactics, known as Bodyline, were devised by the England team to curb his batting brilliance.

During a twenty-year career, Bradman consistently scored at a level that made him "worth three batsmen to Australia". blank">ABC Radio: The Sports Factor, 2 March 2001 (transcript). Accessed 20 August 2007. Committed to attacking, entertaining cricket, Bradman drew spectators in record numbers. He found the constant adulation an anathema, however, and it affected how he dealt with others. The focus of attention on his individual performances strained relationships with some team-mates, administrators and journalists, who thought him aloof and wary. After _World War II, he made a dramatic comeback and in his final season captained an Australian team known as "The Invincibles". RC Robertson-Glasgow wrote of the English reaction to Bradman's retirement that, "... a miracle has been removed from among us. So must ancient Italy have felt when she heard of the death of Hannibal." blank">Wisden, 1949 edition: "A Miracle Has Been Removed From Among Us", by RC Robertson-Glasgow. Accessed 20 August 2007.

A complex, highly-driven man, not given to close personal relationships, Wisden, 2002 edition: "A Personal Recollection", by EW Swanton. Accessed 3 August 2007. Bradman maintained his pre-eminence by acting as an administrator, selector and writer for three decades following his retirement. His opinion was highly sought, but, in his declining years, he became very reclusive. However, his status as a national icon was still recognised, with the then Prime Minister of Australia, _John Howard, calling him the "greatest living Australian". Wisden, 2002 edition: "Beyond the Legend", by Gideon Haigh. Accessed 22 August 2007 His image has appeared on postage stamps and coins, and he became the first living Australian to have a museum dedicated to his life.