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| |  Monday, 26 February, 2001, 11:11 GMT Tributes pour in for Bradman England captain Len Hutton and Sir Donald in 1954 The world of cricket is in mourning, after the death of legendary Australian batsman Sir Donald Bradman. Sir Donald died, aged 92, from pneumonia at his Adelaide home on Sunday. He will be given a private funeral in accordance with his final wishes later this week.
Bradman's only son, John, said his father had asked to be privately cremated, but a memorial service for the public would be held in about two weeks time. "The family asks that the privacy of the funeral be respected," John Bradman said in a statement. "But the memorial service will be open to the public. "We feel that many will share our loss. He touched the lives of others who may wish to join in celebrating his life." Australia's best Around the world, Bradman's death was greeted with sadness as friends and former colleagues mourned his passing. Former Australian cricket captains Mark Taylor, Richie Benaud and Bill Brown paid glowing tributes to Sir Donald.
After equalling his highest Test score of 334 in a match against Pakistan Taylor declared his innings closed out of respect. "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." Bradman's former team mate Brown said Australia's favourite son was always 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 said. "I think he'd like to be remembered as someone who certainly did his best for Australia. "As far as I can recollect 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." Legend departs In England, former Test bowling legend Fred Trueman said the game of cricket would never see his like again. "He was possibly the greatest batsman who ever lived," Trueman said.
When asked if he thought anyone could ever surpass Bradman's status in the world game, Trueman said: "I would not have thought so, never again or before. "He was simply the best and I am very sad." Former England captain Brian Close felt perhaps Bradman's greatest quality was his humility in the face of such an achievement. "Today's players could learn a lot from him," said Close. "It is a sad day for cricket in general because he was so well liked and looked up to."
Sir Alec Bedser, one-time England chairman of selectors, played against Bradman. He told BBC Five Live: "There was no-one like him, and I don't think there will be anyone like him again. "He was a wonderful credit to the game, He was the best - you can't say any more than that." | |
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