Old Letters Reveal Don Bradman's Bold Prediction On Ricky Ponting, 2 Other Australia Legends' Careers

Letters written by the late Australian cricket icon Donald Bradman have surfaced, revealing his admiration for fellow Aussie legends Shane Warne and Steve Waugh, as well as his early recognition of a young Ricky Ponting as a "future Test prospect" for the nation. According to The Age, the letters, penned during the 1980s and 1990s, were addressed to British entertainer Peter Brough, a close friend of Bradman's.

They offer insights into Bradman's thoughts on fame, cricket, admiration for players, and even politics. The two met through Bradman's father, Arthur, during tours to England in the 1930s, forming a friendship that lasted until Brough's death in 1999. Bradman passed away two years later, in 2001. The letters were later donated to the National Library of Australia (NLA) by Brough's family.

In one letter dated July 31, 1991, Bradman expressed joy over South Africa's reinstatement in international cricket following its apartheid ban. He wrote, "What great news that South Africa has been re-admitted to the fold. It will help restore the balance on the ICC (International Cricket Council), and in three or four years, they will probably have a fine Test team. I always found the South African cricketers charming fellows and some of them were my greatest friends."

Widely regarded as the greatest batter in cricket history, Bradman scored 6,994 Test runs at an astounding average of 99.94, with 29 centuries and 13 fifties in 52 Tests. He was also a keen admirer of leg-spin bowling.

During a 1996 interview with Ray Martin, conducted to raise funds for the Bradman Museum in Bowral, Bradman lamented the decline of leg-spin bowling following Richie Benaud's retirement in 1964. He attributed this to the growing emphasis on economy