Top 5 famous ducks in international cricket

There is nothing more harsh and unpredictable than International cricket. Pressure or maybe the lack of it has time and again shown that even the prolific and dependable of batsman succumb to it as if a fall from grace. So often, great milestones that have brought with it, the expectations of a heartwarming performance have been reduced to dust by the game. That is the beauty of the sport and here I venture to list out some of the most famous ducks that have been seen in International cricket.

1. Sir Don Bradman in his last Test innings

Sir Don Bradman bowled for a duck

It was the 5th test in the Ashes of 1948. The Australians had already claimed the Ashes with a comprehensive 3-0 victory. Don Bradman had announced it as his last test match and the hype around the Test was all about how Bradman needed 4 runs to complete a milestone career average of 100.

However, little known leg spinner Eric Hollies will be forever remembered as the one who broke a million Australian hearts and denied the perfect farewell to its greatest player of all times. The leg spinner pitched up the second ball to Bradman, bowling Bradman for a duck with a googly that went between bat and pad as the Australian skipper leaned forward. Bradman appeared stunned by what had happened and slowly turned around and walked back to the pavilion, to a huge standing ovation and with tears in his eyes. Australia won the Test by an innings and 149 runs but the match was forever imprinted with this heartbreaking episode.