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Donald Bradman didn’t need technology, prepared pitches or a support team to make history, says Australian bowler Nathan Bracken.
Sixty years since his final Test, Bradman remains the game’s greatest player.
As the Australian cricket team touched down in steamy Darwin today – ahead of a one-day series against Bangladesh – Bracken paid tribute to the Aussie icon, who would have turned 100 today.
“I guess you have a look now at the guys who we consider greats of the game and their performances and then you look at what he’s done,” he said.
“I think the highest Test average is about 66 and then you look at his at 99.”
Bracken, who was last in Darwin when he was 15, said the Bradman legend had withstood the test of time – and technology.
“We’re on covered wickets, we’re on pitches that are prepared and all the technology,” he said.
“They were on uncovered wickets and I guess the technology and the manpower we now have to prepare for a game and get it right, they didn’t have.”
Michael Clarke will captain Australia in the Test because regular skipper Ricky Ponting is recovering from wrist surgery.
The team has also lost bowling spearhead Brett Lee, who is taking time out to deal with his marriage break-up, and opening batsman Matthew Hayden.
“Obviously injuries and a few personal circumstances have come in,” Bracken said of the current line-up.
Asked if there was any chance of an upset, he replied: “They’ve done if before so we’ve got to play well.
“We’re off a break and we’re under a bit of pressure so I guess it’s us to put our hands up and perform well and if they play good cricket we have to match it.”
But Bracken shrugged off talk the warm Darwin climate could take a toll, saying the Aussies were used to “adapting from Tasmania to Brisbane”.
Games will be played in Darwin on August 30 and September 3 and 6.
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