Bradman practised batting incessantly during his youth. He invented his own solo cricket game, using a stump and a golf ball. A water tank mounted on a curved brick stand stood on a paved area behind the family home. When hit into this stand, the ball rebounded at high speed and varying angles as he attempted to hit it. This form of practice developed his timing and reactions. He hit his first century at the age of 12, playing for the Bowral Public School against Mittagong High School   THEN THIS

• Highest career batting average (minimum 15 innings): 99.94
• Highest series batting average (5-Test series): 201.50 (1931–32)
• Highest % of centuries in innings played: 36.25%
• Highest 5th wicket partnership: 405 (with Sid Barnes, 1946–47)
• Highest 6th wicket partnership: 346 (with Jack Fingleton, 1936–37)
• Highest score by a number 5 batsman: 304 (1934)
• Highest score by a number 7 batsman: 270 (1936–37)
• Most runs against one opponent: 5,028 (v England)
• Most runs in one series: 974 (1930)
• Most centuries scored in a single session of play: 6 (1 pre lunch, 2 lunch-tea, 3 tea-stumps)
• Most runs in one day’s play: 309 (1930)
• Most double centuries: 12
• Most double centuries in a series: 3 (1930)
• Most triple centuries: 2 (equal with Brian Lara)
• Most consecutive matches to have made a century: 6 (last 3 in 1936–37, first 3 in 1938)

    What a way to celebrate a true Legend of Australian sport and a Aussie gentleman!