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It may sound unbelievable to the fans. But, Sir Don Bradman once scored 100 runs in just three overs in a match between Blackheath and Lithgow back in 1931. Playing for Blackheath, the then 23-year-old batsman completed his explosive ton in just 18 minutes. In those days, an over constituted of eight deliveries.
The match was between the Blue Mountains region of New South Wales. In that match, Bradman got to his century in quick time having hit the first over he faced for 38 runs. But what came next was something extraordinary that hadn’t been seen until then.
A local bowler named Bill Black came to bowl and Bradman was reminded by the Lithgow wicket-keeper Leo Waters that Black had dismissed the Australian Test batsman a few weeks before. Bradman was clearly irritated by Waters’s comments. He went after Black, smashing him for 33 runs in an over. The over read - 6, 6, 4, 2, 4, 4, 6, 1.
The next over was bowled by Horrie Baker and Australia’s number three was again on strike as he had scored a single off the last ball of the previous over. Bradman improved on Black’s over as he scored 40 runs (6, 4, 4, 6, 6, 4, 6, 4) against the hapless Bowler. The bowler didn’t have any clue against rampaging Bradman.
Black was back on to bowl the next over. Bardman’s partner Wendell Bill turned the strike over to Don with a single off the first delivery. Bradman hit the next two deliveries into the stands, where a massive crowd was left watching in awe. He knocked the next ball around for a single and Bill did the needful again by giving Bradman the strike immediately. Bradman struck two fours and a huge six. Black ended his excessive bowling spell reading 2-0-62-0. His second over went for 1, 6, 6, 1, 1, 4, 4, 6.
A total of 102 runs were scored from three overs, with 100 of those runs coming from the Bradman’s blade. He was later dismissed for 256, a knock laced with 29 fours and 14 sixes.
Speaking about the knock many decades later, the man considered to be the greatest batter in the history of the game said that the event was not planned and he was taken aback by what had happened at the time.
“It happened purely by accident and everyone was surprised at the outcome,” Bradman said.
Considering the greatness of the record it should be rather well known to the fans across the globe. However, considering the lack of video evidence, only some cricket historians are aware about the incredible record.
