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Tributes for Bradman
Updated: Monday February 26, 2001 5:36 AM
BOMBAY (Reuters) -- Australian skipper Steve Waugh and Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar both paid heart-felt tributes Monday to Sir Donald Bradman, hailing the greatest batsman in test cricket history as an inspiration. Tendulkar, described by Bradman as the player who most reminded him of himself, told reporters that news of Bradman's death in his sleep at the age of 92 on Sunday was difficult to digest. Waugh, speaking in Bombay on the eve of Australia's test series against India, said he hoped the news would make cricketers around the world reflect on their responsibility to the game in light of the match-fixing scandals over past years. "I hope this makes everyone think the future of the game and not just their own needs," Waugh told reporters. In a statement released later by the Australian Cricket Board, Waugh paid tribute to Bradman's humility and integrity. "We, as Australians, can take inspiration from the way he played the game as he always tried to be one step ahead," he said in the statement. "He set standards, so even today we can use him as an inspiration." Both Waugh and Tendulkar described meetings that each had with Bradman in 1999 as a highlight in their lives. "I am one of the luckiest guys on this earth because I had the chance to meet him -- it will always remain a special moment in my life," Tendulkar said.
"I got the phone call this morning and it was not a good start to this day -- it's very hard news to digest," he added. Bradman never played in India but is revered on the sub-continent. "With a great player like him it doesn't matter where he played -- the way he played was more important," Tendulkar said. "Everybody rates him the best and there is no doubt about it. While growing up as a kid it was a tremendous thing to hear all the elderly people talking about him." Bradman retired from first-class cricket over half a century ago. But his records remain the yardstick for sportsmen around the globe: he played in 52 tests for Australia between 1928-1948, scoring 6,996 runs at an average of 99.94. He scored 29 centuries with a top score of 334. "What struck me was how humble he was about his achievements and that he wanted to see himself as a normal person," Waugh said. "This is a lesson in humility for us all. Australia's first match of a three-test series starts in Bombay on Tuesday. Steve Bernard, administrative manager of the touring side, paid his own tribute to Bradman. "There is no question it is the end of the greatest cricket innings ever," he said. Former captains pay tribute Former Australian cricket captains Mark Taylor, Richie Benaud and Bill Brown also paid glowing tributes to Bradman. Taylor, who paid the ultimate compliment to Bradman when, in 1998, he equaled his highest test score of 334 in a match against Pakistan but refused to better his record score, declaring his innings closed out of respect to him. "Sir Donald is certainly the greatest Australian I have met," Taylor said in a statement. "Fifty-three years after playing his final test match he was still revered around the world, held in incredible esteem. "As a cricketer, the world has known no equal. He was the true symbol of fine sportsmanship, the benchmark that all young cricketers aspired to. "His innings may have closed but his legacy will forever live on in the hearts of millions of Australians." Bradman's former teammate Brown said Bradman was more than just a cricketer. "He was the pinnacle of Australian cricket. You could sum it up by saying he was a great Australian," Brown told Australian radio. "I think he'd like to be remembered as someone who certainly did his best for Australia and as far as I can recollect, I'm sure I'm right, there was not a blemish I can remember on his character." Benaud, now a highly regarded television commentator, captained Australian in the 1960s while Bradman was chairman of the Australian selection panel. "We had a very successful time on the field because of the knowledge and awareness of those three [selectors] and particularly The Don who was very, very good," Benaud said. "He was always a couple of overs ahead of the play, as I suspect he was on the field as well." In England, former England captain Mike Gatting said: "We all owe him a great deal. He continued to do a great deal for the game of cricket after he finished his career. "People don't know, but he was still getting requests for autographs after he finished in the game. He used to spend one day a week signing them." "I can comfortably say he was the best of his time and certainly the averages suggest he was the best of all time. I don't think we'll ever see his like again. People just don't score as freely any more." Former England fast bowler Fred Trueman said: "He was possibly the greatest batsman who ever lived. I would have loved to have had the great honor of bowling against him. That would have been marvelous. He was the best. Ex-test umpire Dickie Bird said: "He was a wonderful player who seemed to caress the ball. He was a genius. It is a massive blow to cricket. He had balance, saw the ball early and had a tremendous eye." The Bodyline series will always be remembered, but he also skippered the 1948 side which was probably the greatest team ever. Extraordinary Sir Alec Bedser, who headed England's attack in the 1948 series and was one of the few bowlers to earn Sir Donald Bradman's respect, said: "He was the best. He played cricket as it should be played. "He will never be surpassed. He was just extraordinary. I am proud that he considered me one of his greatest friends in England. "His objective was to get runs, not stay there. He scored 50 an hour every time he played. His record will never be passed. Bradman, in 50 tests, got more runs than people who have played in more than twice as many." Former England batsman Tom Graveney said Bradman looked as though could score off nearly every ball. "He was a wonderful man and he had a fantastic record," Graveney said. "He looked to me as if he could score off practically every ball and they used to say of him that if he could read the bowler's intention and if it was where he thought it would be he would hit the ball for four and if it wasn't he would push if for a single." Former England captain Brian Close said Bradman was a humble man who did not go around saying how good he was. "He was meek in some ways and did not thrust it down people's throats," Close said. "Today's players could learn a lot from him." South Africa joins tributes Bradman's status as the world's greatest cricketer has never been queried, South Africa's top-scoring batsman Graeme Pollock said Monday. "Bradman was unique," Pollock, whose test average of 60.83 was second only to the Australian's, said. "He was the greatest batsman that's ever played. People become skeptical whenever a sportsman is hailed as the greatest, but Sir Donald's stature has never been doubted or queried," Pollock told Web site CricketLine.com on Monday. "It's hardly surprising that he's been described as the greatest Australian ever," Pollock said. The United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) described Bradman as "the game's greatest player and ambassador." In a message signed by president Percy Sonn and chief executive Gerald Majola, the USBSA said: "Both on the field and off it, Sir Donald embodied the Spirit of Cricket more than anyone else. He conducted himself at all times with a grace and dignity that were a model for millions. "The combination of pride and humility with which he carried himself permeated every corner of the game." The Board said Bradman served as a constant reminder that no one was greater than the game itself. "He was the game's greatest and yet he saw himself always as a servant of the game. "Cricket will be forever indebted to Sir Don Bradman for the legacy with which he so enriched our game with his commitment to his sport and to all-round excellence."
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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