Who Scored a Century in Just 3 Overs? The Untold Story of Don Bradman’s Insane Feat

Sir Donald George Bradman, the Australian cricket legend, scored 100 runs in just 3 overs in a 1931 match at Blackheath, New South Wales.

This was during a charity exhibition game, not an official Test or first-class match, but it remains one of the most mind-blowing batting feats in history.

Context: When and Where Did It Happen?

Date: November 2, 1931
Location: Blackheath Cricket Ground, Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia
Event: Exhibition Match – Bradman’s team vs. Lithgow

This wasn’t a competitive match—it was a community engagement game meant to draw crowds and promote cricket in regional areas. However, the 800+ people who showed up got far more than just a fun afternoon.

Who Was Bowling to Bradman?

The bowler was G.H. Nelson, a part-time medium-pacer from Lithgow.

He wasn’t a professional cricketer but a respectable club-level player.

Here’s the interesting part—Nelson wasn’t doing badly at first. But once Bradman got his eye in, the floodgates opened. Balls started flying over trees, roads, and out of the ground entirely.

Why 3 Overs Is Not 18 Balls

This is where the confusion often happens.

In 1931, Australian overs consisted of 8 balls, not 6. 

So:

3 overs × 8 balls = 24 deliveries

Bradman scored 100 runs off these 24 balls

That’s 4.17 runs per ball on average!

If this had happened in a modern format with 6-ball overs, it would’ve required 16.67 runs per over—basically a six every ball with extras.

Score Breakdown: How Did He Get to 100?

Here’s the widely reported breakdown of the three overs:

1st Over – 33 Runs

2, 4, 6, 6, 4, 4, 4, 3 

2nd Over – 40 Runs

6, 6, 6, 4, 6, 6, 4, 2

3rd Over – 27 Runs

4, 6, 2, 4, 6, 1, 2, 2

Total: 33 + 40 + 27 = 100 runs

Can you imagine that in real time? Spectators were stunned. Reports say some couldn’t even track the ball after it left the bat.

Ball Striking & Shot Selection

Bradman was famous for his sharp eye and precision, but on this day, he unleashed raw power:

• Slogged multiple sixes straight over the bowler’s head
• Played cover drives and flicks that raced to the boundary
• Ran several quick doubles and triples, proving his fitness and awareness

One eyewitness reportedly said: “The ball disappeared into the trees several times. We just stood there in awe.”

Why Did Bradman Do It?

This match was organized to help promote cricket in rural New South Wales.
Bradman’s presence was the main attraction.

After a slow start in the first few overs of the innings, Bradman seemed to deliberately accelerate to entertain the crowd.
One source mentions that Bradman had promised a show—and he delivered, turning the match into a personal highlight reel.

Could This Be Repeated Today?

Realistically? No. Here’s why:

Even the fastest T20 century ever (David Miller, Rohit Sharma, and Sudesh Wickramasekara – 35 balls) doesn’t come close to Bradman’s 24-ball 100.

Is This an Official Record?

No, the match wasn’t recorded as an official first-class or Test game.

But that doesn’t make it folklore. There are multiple eyewitness accounts, local newspaper reports, and later confirmations by cricket historians.

The match is considered “unofficial”, but the feat is widely acknowledged.

Historical Significance

This match became part of cricket history not just because of the score, but because:

• It reflects Bradman’s adaptability and skill in any format
• It’s a precursor to modern-day power-hitting in T20 cricket
• It shows how context doesn’t diminish greatness

Even in a casual match, Bradman delivered elite-level entertainment and a performance that defies logic.

Cricket Trivia: How Many Have Come Close?

Here are the closest comparisons:

None of these reached 100 in under 30 balls, let alone in 3 overs.

Final Thoughts: Beyond the Stats

So, who scored a century in just 3 overs?
The answer is not only a name—Don Bradman—but a moment in time when cricket transcended logic.

This wasn’t a match for trophies or points. It was for the love of the game, and Bradman’s ability to entertain while rewriting physics on a cricket field.

Whether official or not, this remains:

• The fastest century ever recorded in terms of overs
• A record no one has beaten in nearly a century
• A reminder that some legends are simply built differently