A whimper not a bang

The story so far
Neil Harvey We all knew it was going to be his final Test. Actually he wasn't all that keen to go to England in the first place as he wasn't healthy enough, but he was put under pressure by the Australian board to make it for the Ashes. He was also influenced a little bit by the fact that England had been suffering during the war and it would have been a great fillip to them to have Bradman come over one last time because he was so revered there.

Arthur Morris We were just treating it like any other Test match really. He was his usual self going into it. It was the final leg of a long tour where we had been playing about six days a week for almost six months, but we had done well and even scored 400-plus runs on the final day to win the fourth Test at Leeds.

A bit of a sticky
Don Bradman Our preliminary inspection disclosed a reasonably firm pitch, but one which had been absolutely soaked through and through.

I did not envy [Norman] Yardley having to make the decision. He elected to bat. I would have sent England in. In case I am accused of being wise after the event or of saying this because of England's failure, may I stress that my reason would have been mainly the condition of the outfield. It had to be slow - couldn't have been slower - and must quicken up during the game. (from Farewell to Cricket by Don Bradman, Hodder and Stoughton)

NH There was a lot of moisture in the wicket early on because of constant rains before the game. For some strange reason England batted first - we probably would've sent them in anyway - and they got all out for 52. But that was more due to good bowling. When you've got Ray Lindwall, Keith Miller and Bill Johnston as your opening three bowlers, and they've got a couple of early wickets, they are a bit hard to hold off.

End of the day, end of an era
NH Arthur Morris and Sid Barnes got off to a good start and it was drawing near to the close on the first day when Bradman got his turn. He was ready to walk in, never shirked away from the task.

The ground was full, absolutely choc-a-bloc - in fact, they had to turn people away. The reception he got from the crowd and the English players was out of this world. Yardley summoned all his players to take their caps off and give Bradman three cheers. AM As Bradman walked in, the crowd went berserk, while the English players gave him three cheers. Standing at the crease, I felt it was about time they got on with it.

Alec Bedser It was a normal thing to do to cheer him. The occasion demanded it and it was natural that a player of his stature got it.

DB As I walked out to another wonderful ovation, my mind went back 18 years to Jack Hobbs's final Test on the same ground. The scene was re-enacted. The fieldsmen gathered round, gave three cheers, wished me good luck (for after-years, of course) and the play was resumed. I dearly wanted to do well.

Not a dry eye in the house
DB That reception had stirred my emotions very deeply and made me anxious - a dangerous state of mind for any batsman to be in. I played the first ball from Hollies though not sure I really saw it.

AM He was pretty cool all the time. I saw him make his crease amidst all the noise and I don't think I saw any emotion from him. He appreciated what they were doing for his last trip. I never saw him take out his handkerchief to wipe away any tears.

NH Bradman said he didn't get affected by that adulation as he walked in for one last time, but I am sure he would've held back a few tears because it was a great reception by the English.

From bat to bail
AM I was a bit surprised when Bradman came in because it was late in the day, we had a good score, and I thought a night-watchman could've come in.

Hollies had a very good wrong 'un and also one that came out of the side of the hand. Straight off, he bowled Bradman a couple of very good balls. The first was a legbreak, which Bradman played at, and the next one was a wrong 'un that came in through the off as he lunged forward. It was pitched perfectly and hit the off stump. Bradman couldn't read it - not that it was easy to read. Age was catching up with the Don - he was 39 - and even in the match before he hadn't been picking Denis Compton's wrong 'un too well.

NH Hollies was a fine legspin bowler and one of the few who succeeded for England. He had a fine wrong 'un - a ball that Bradman got deceived by. Bradman had his back foot anchored behind the crease with his upper body lunging forward. He got the inside edge and heard the rattle of the bails. Next thing, he looked up to the heavens, tucked his bat under his arm and started to stride off. As he was about to enter the dressing room, he said to Keith Miller, the next man in: "Fancy doing a thing like that!" He couldn't believe he was out for a duck.

DB The second was a perfect-length googly which deceived me. I just touched it with the inside edge of the bat and the off bail was dislodged. So in the midst of my great jubilation at our team's success, I had a rather sad heart about my own farewell as I wended my way pavilionwards.

You could have heard a pin drop
AM There was a mournful silence as he walked back after getting that duck. They were staggered to see that happen and were obviously disappointed.

It was typical of Bradman that whether he got a 100, 200, 300, or a duck, he just put the bat under his arm and off he went - no histrionics, no dawdling. That's the way he played his cricket.

NH At the end of the first day, we were called out on the players' balcony, and the sight of the crowds gathered down hundreds deep was incredible. He waved to everybody and left with a great deal of dignity.

DB (to the crowds at The Oval) I am sorry my personal contribution was so small, but that was thanks to the generosity of the reception from the public and the English players and the very fine ball which Hollies bowled me. (quoted in Sir Donald Bradman - a Biography by Irving Rosenwater, Batsford)

The magic number
NH Nobody knew that he only needed four runs to reach the perfect average of 100. Even the press didn't know. There was no pre-game hype about statistics, otherwise he would have got them. Till we read about it the next day in the newspapers, even Bradman didn't know. How he felt about that after reading it, no one was going to know. We all felt terribly sorry for him because nobody likes to go out in his last Test match with a minimum score.

AB Personally, it was sad to see him get out just four short of what could have been a perfect average of 100. If I were to bowl to him, my first ball would be a full-toss so that he could get to that historic mark. As it is, we had nothing to lose, having lost the series already. So it was really sad he didn't get any.

Drowned in the clamour
AM Amid all the tributes and the emotional farewell, my innings of 196 was forgotten. The umpire had enough of me, I guess, and gave me run out.

Judith Morris (wife of Arthur Morris) We were sitting with a group of people one day and the conversation turned to Sir Donald's last innings. Arthur said, "Oh, I remember it, I was there." This one gentleman turned to him and enquired, "Oh, were you? What were you in England on, business or holiday?" Arthur replied, "No, I was at the other end." Eric Hollies Best ball I have bowled all season, and they're clapping him. (quoted in Rosenwater)