Who Scored a Century in Just 3 Overs? The Incredible Story of Don Bradman
1. Introduction: A Myth That Became History
Cricket has constantly been a game of exquisite statistics, but some stand out as almost mythical. One such story is of a century in only 3 overs. Whenever enthusiasts ask “who scored a century in only 3 overs?”, the solution is none apart from Sir Donald Bradman, the greatest batsman of all time.
Table of Contents
This wasn’t an authentic international or pleasant document, yet it’s far one in every of cricket’s most talked-about achievements. The feat symbolizes Bradman’s dominance, timing, and brilliance with the bat.
2. Historical Background of the Match
The yr was 1931, and the location changed into Blackheath, New South Wales, Australia. Bradman was playing for a Blackheath XI against a Lithgow XI in a charity/exhibition suit.
The game changed into intended to inaugurate a new concrete pitch. What accompanied, but, became cricketing folklore. Bradman, provoked by means of a nearby wicketkeeper’s comment, unleashed an attacking masterclass that taken aback the spectators and left at the back of a file that is nevertheless remembered these days.
👉 Important element: In Australia all through that time, overs had 8 balls in place of 6. So, three overs supposed 24 deliveries in overall.
3. The Ball-by means of-Ball Breakdown of 3 Overs
Bradman faced bowlers Bill Black and Horrie Baker. In simply 22 deliveries, he smashed 100 runs, along with his companion Wendell Bill cleverly rotating strike to keep him on strike.
Ball-by means of-Ball Analysis:
- First Over (Bill Black) – 33 Runs
- Sequence: 6, 6, 4, 2, 4, 4, 6, 1
- Second Over (Horrie Baker) – 40 Runs
- Sequence: 6, 4, 4, 6, 6, 4, 6, 4
- Third Over (Bill Black again) – 29 Runs
- Sequence: 1, 6, 6, 1, 1, 4, 4, 6
Total: 102 runs in 3 overs, of which Bradman scored 100 runs and Wendell Bill delivered 2 runs.
By the end of the innings, Bradman went on to attain 256 runs, together with 29 fours and 14 sixes.
4. Tabular Representation of the Runs
| Over No. | Bowler | Runs Scored | Ball-by-Ball Sequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bill Black | 33 | 6, 6, 4, 2, 4, 4, 6, 1 |
| 2 | Horrie Baker | 40 | 6, 4, 4, 6, 6, 4, 6, 4 |
| 3 | Bill Black | 29 | 1, 6, 6, 1, 1, 4, 4, 6 |
| Total | — | 102 | Bradman – 100, Wendell Bill – 2 |
5. How Was It Possible? Conditions and Strategy
- 8-ball overs gave Bradman greater deliveries in step with over.
- Friendly conditions of a charity fit intended less strain.
- Wendell Bill’s smart strike rotation ensured Bradman confronted maximum of the balls.
- Bradman’s unequalled timing and site became nearly each transport right into a boundary.
- Provocation by using the opposition wicketkeeper gave Bradman the inducement to go berserk.
6. Why Is It Not Officially Recognized?
Despite its mythical status, the report isn’t always part of reputable cricket statistics due to the fact:
- It changed into an exhibition/charity healthy, not an international or quality fixture.
- Cricket’s governing bodies did no longer understand non-aggressive fits for facts.
- Overs of eight balls in keeping with over no longer exist, making it incomparable to fashionable formats.
7. Comparison with Modern Fastest Centuries
Modern cricket has visible a few breathtaking short centuries, but Bradman’s feat stands aside.
- ODI Cricket
- AB de Villiers: 31 balls vs West Indies (2015)
- Corey Anderson: 36 balls vs West Indies (2014)
- Shahid Afridi: 37 balls vs Sri Lanka (1996)
- T20 International Cricket
- David Miller: 35 balls vs Bangladesh (2017)
- Rohit Sharma: 35 balls vs Sri Lanka (2017)
- Sudesh Wickramasekara: 35 balls vs Turkey (2019, T20I)
👉 Even with present day bats, electricity hitting, and shorter obstacles, no person has ever come close to a 100 in only 3 overs (24 balls). Who Scored a Century in Just 3 Overs.
8. Bradman’s Technique and Mindset
Bradman’s century in three overs changed into no longer pretty much brute force. It reflected:
- Flawless timing – He not often mishit the ball.
- Mental clarity – He turned a taunt into fuel for motivation.
- Situational attention – He exploited weaker bowlers ruthlessly.
- Teamwork – Wendell Bill’s singles played a crucial function.
Bradman later admitted that the innings was by no means “deliberate” but just passed off within the heat of the instant. Who Scored a Century in Just 3 Overs?
9. Legacy and Impact on Cricket
- This feat is well known as one of the maximum super batting performances in cricket folklore.
- Bradman’s bat from that healthy is preserved within the Bradman Museum, Bowral.
- The file maintains to encourage discussions approximately what’s feasible in cricket.
- It set a benchmark for aggression lengthy earlier than the T20 era became even imagined.
Read More: India vs Bangladesh Cricket Timeline – Rivalry, Records & Historic Matches (1988–2025)
10. Conclusion: Who Scored a Century in Just 3 Overs
So, who scored a century in just 3 overs?
The answer is: Sir Donald Bradman, on second November 1931, in a charity fit at Blackheath, NSW, Australia.
