Sir Donald's son, John, said his father was resting after being hospitalised

"Prior to Christmas he was in hospital with pneumonia," Bradman's son John said in a statement issued from southern Adelaide.

"He was very pleased to return home and is now there resting under medical supervision," he said.

John Bradman appealed for the Australian media to respect his father's privacy. Sir Donald has shunned public attention during much of his later life.

"The family recognises that there is legitimate interest in the health and well-being of my father," he said.

Bradman, widely recognised as the greatest cricket player ever, amassed 6,996 test runs in 80 innings during the 1930s and 1940s at an unrivalled average of 99.94.

Wisden, the sport's authoritative almanac, named Bradman as the best cricketer of the 20th century.