On this day in 1948: Sir Donald Bradman was bowled for duck in his final test match

On this day in 1948, Sir Donald Bradman fell for a duck, the most famous if ever there was one. It was the fifth test of series, Australia had already taken an unassailable lead of 3-0. The test was held at Oval on a rain-hit pitch as during those days the only outfield was covered. It was the last test of the career of Sir Donald Bradman. Presuming Australia batted once, Bradman required 4 runs to have a test batting average of exactly 100. Australian bowlers led by Lindwall decimated the English batsman and team folded for 52. Sir Len Hutton was the last man dismissed for 30.

Australian openers passed the England score and put on a century stand. The first wicket fell on 117 and in came Bradman to a standing ovation and three cheers from opposing team. Everybody sensed the great or rather invincible moment, which would have been impossible to achieve but for everyone’s disappointment, Bradman fell to a second ball googly to Eric Hollies for a duck. He ended his career at 99.94 the best international average by some distance. Most famous googly if ever bowled would be that of Eric Hollies that stopped a milestone that would never be touched.

Neil Harvey said in an interview that he is to blame for Don not getting to the magical average as he also deprived him of that chance in 4th test of series. Bradman was batting on 173 when the second wicket fell and Neil Harvey walked out and score the winning runs by hitting a boundary. He says he should have played out the over and given Bradman the chance of scoring 4 runs but he didn’t knee that Bradman was going to be out for a duck in his next and last match. Statistics were not mentioned during those days and no one in the press was aware of the same.