Bradman's 99.94 Batting Average Explained: Why It Can Never Be Beaten

Donald Bradman's 99.94 Test average is the most-cited record in all of cricket. It's not just unbeaten — it's untouchable. Here's why, with modern-era context.

The number

52 Tests, 80 innings, 6,996 runs, 10 not-outs, highest score 334. Average: 99.94.

Why it can never be beaten

Modern Test averages cap out ~60. Bradman averaged 40 runs/match MORE than any other Test batter ever. That's a 2-standard-deviation gap.

The last-innings duck

Needed 4 runs in his final Test innings (1948 at The Oval) to finish with a 100 average. Got out for 0. Legendary cricket trivia.

Post-Bradman closest averages

Adam Voges 61.87 (20 Tests), Steve Smith 56.97, Virat Kohli 49.15 in Tests. The gap to 99.94 is massive.

Modern-era equivalents (adjusted)

Some statisticians argue Kohli's peak across formats matches Bradman's dominance — but Bradman's raw average stands alone.

Related reading

Top 10 batting records all-time and most runs in Test cricket all-time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bradman's Test average?

99.94 — the most famous number in cricket.

Why can it never be beaten?

Modern averages cap out around 60; the 40-run gap is enormous.

How many runs did he need in his last innings?

4 runs to reach 100.

Did he get them?

No — he was bowled for 0 by Eric Hollies.

Who has the closest modern average?

Adam Voges 61.87, over just 20 Tests.

The takeaway

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