Bradman’s World Record 452
"It was one of those occasions when everything went right." Sir Donald Bradman
By Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame
Greatest Sporting Moments - Bradman Museum
Sydney Mail, Don Bradman 452 Celebration (1930-01-15) by John Fairfax & Sons, Ltd. and Bradman Museum CollectionBradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame
"It was one of those occasions when everything went right. The wicket was true and firm, the outfield in good condition and the weather warm but not unduly hot... Apart from achieving a performance of this kind, I am gratified that the runs were made at speed and in a manner which clearly showed that I was attacking the bowling throughout the innings, and not playing defensive cricket for selfish reasons."
Sir Donald Bradman, reflecting on his world-record innings, 452 not out.
Portrait of Bill Ponsford (1930) by The Australasian Pictorial. Published by Argus & Australasian Ltd. and Bradman Museum Collection.Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame
Record Breakers, History Makers
Up until 1930, Victorian and Australian batsman Bill Ponsford held the first-class world record score of 437 runs.
Don Bradman’s world record first-class innings of 452* made at the SCG secured him an immediate spot in the 1930 Australian team to England. Playing for NSW against Queensland on Saturday 4 January 1930, Bradman opened the NSW second innings. His run rate bettered a run-a-minute, 50 in 51 minutes, 100 in 104 minutes and by close of play he was 205* in 195 minutes. The next day, Sunday, was a rest day and Bradman consciously decided to have a go at Bill Ponsford’s record score of 437 runs. Refreshed on the Monday morning he reached his third century in 288 minutes and his fourth in 377 minutes.
Eventually passing Ponsford’s record he continued to bat coolly and meticulously. When he’d reached 452, Bradman’s Captain Alan Kippax declared the innings closed with NSW 8/761.
Don Bradman, Breaker of World's Cricket Records (1930-01-06) by Daily Telegraph Pictorial. National Library of AustraliaBradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame
This innings rewrote the record books. It was technically chanceless save for two very difficult catching chances. He hit 49 fours, a match aggregate record of 455, the youngest batsman to ever make 400 and the fastest innings to reach 400. He was 'chaired' off the field by the Queensland players at the innings conclusion, his name now assured of international recognition.
Since that date only two men have scored more runs in a first-class single innings; Hanif Mohammad of Pakistan in 1958-59, with 499, and Brian Lara of the West Indies in 1994, with 501*.
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Image of illustrated front page, NSW's Don Bradman chaired off by Queensland side at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sheffield Shield. Daily Telegraph Pictorial, January 7 1930. Courtesy National Library of Australia.
452 Scoresheet (1930) by Cricket NSWBradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame
The Scoresheet
Original scoresheet for New South Wales (NSW) v Queensland match shows runs as scored.
Don Bradman recounts the moment:
"Apart from achieving a performance of this kind, I am gratified that the runs were made at speed and in a manner which clearly showed that I was attacking the bowling throughout the innings, and not playing defensive cricket for selfish reasons."
Runs by Don Bradman are so many, that they continue into the lines above of a fellow player...
Breaking Ponsford's Record
The inscription on the far left by the score-person reads 'Bradman 438 world's record in 406 m', meaning Ponsford's record was broken in a staggering 406 minutes, faster than 1 run per minute.
The symbol of Don Bradman's cover drive from the 1930 world record 452 has become synonymous with his outstanding career, as well as the branding for the Bradman Foundation and Museum today.
Cricket legend Hanif Mohammad batting for Pakistan, during a match in England. Circa 1959. Hanif broke Bradman's record in the 1958-59 season against Karachi.
West Indies' Brian Lara plays a typically cavalier stroke during a match in 1995. Brian Lara broke Hanif Mohammad's record with 501 not out v Warwickshire in 1994. Image Gordon Brooks Bradman Museum Collection.
452 Telegram, Don Bradman (1930) by NSW Cricket Association and Bradman Museum Collection.Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame
‘Many people have asked me to describe my feelings when I realized I had accomplished this performance. The best description I can offer is that I felt as a man who had achieved a specific task which he had set himself to do, and having done it was satisfied. I was not excited, and I cannot say that I suffered any reaction. My feeling was one of complete satisfaction.’
Don Bradman
Bradman Record 452 Signed Bat (Back) (1930) by Google. On loan Stephen Shostak, Bradman MuseumBradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame
The Signed 1930 Sheffield Shield Bat
The bat signed by Queensland and New South Wales players, from the match in which Don Bradman made his record score. January 6, 1930.
On loan to Bradman Museum courtesy Stephen Shostak.
Don Bradman signature can be faintly seen above the heading (right).
Bradman’s early career was pivotal to him becoming the iconic player we remember. The Bradman Museum possesses many artefacts from Bradman’s early career (including his famous innings of 452 not out).
Authors:
David Wells, Andrew Summerell. Bradman Museum
Art Direction: Monica Donoso. Bradman Museum.
© Bradman Museum 2019.
Objects:
Gloves donated by the late Gordon Vidler. Bradman Museum Collection. BM 2003.570
Cap donated by the late Les and Jean Roberts. Bradman Museum Collection. BM 2002.032
452 Bat on loan from Stephen Shostak to Bradman Museum. Photography Google 2018.
Blackheath Bat donated by Katoomba RSL Club. Bradman Museum Collection.
Scoresheet courtesy Cricket NSW.
'Don Bradman' supplement to The Sydney Mail. January 15 1930. Bradman Museum Collection. BM 1994.097
'Bill Ponsford' supplement to the The Australasian. Bradman Museum Collection. BM 2000.098.4
'World's Greatest Batsman'. The Sporting Globe, 1930. Bradman Museum Collection.
Don Bradman collectable postcard, 1930. Bradman Museum Collection. BM 1989-024
Image credits:
Brian Lara image: Image Gordon Brooks Collection, Bradman Museum. BM 2016.178
Hanif Mohammad image by David Frith. 'The Pageant of Cricket' 1987.
Coverdrive image, Don Bradman: Photographer unknown. Bradman Museum Collection. BM 1996.270
Daily Telegraph Pictorial, January 2 1930, Courtesy National Library of Australia.
Hand retouched black & white photo of Don Bradman, with congratulatory telegram. Sydney Cricket Ground, January 1930. Bradman Museum Collection. BM 1994.034
Video:
'Reflections of a Legend' Interview with Sir Donald Bradman courtesy Jack Egan, 1990. Bradman Museum Collection.
Archive footage authorised for use by Bradman Museum for non-commercial gain.
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