What Don Bradman thought of Sachin Tendulkar vs Shane Warne battle

Letters written cricket legend Don Bradman has revealed how much he was looking forward to the battle between Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne ahead of the 1998 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In the letters – written Bradman to his friend Peter Brough – the Australian great mentions his admiration for Warne, the first time he watched Ricky Ponting bat.
In the letters – written between 1984-1998 – donated to the National library Brough’s family, Bradman shares a wide range of thoughts about the game, especially the future of the sport where he fears a second World Series Cricket taking over cricket.
In one of the letters written in 1998 Bradman writes, “We had an interesting series with South Africa. They were not a great side but they had dedication and great willpower to fight things out to the end. The real difference was Warne. It was really exciting to see him bowl in the Sydney Test where the ball was turning and he gave a wonderful display.
“Our boys go to India this week and they will be sorely [tested] under home conditions. Tendulkar is probably the best bat in the world and his battles with Warne should be fascinating.”
Bradman was a big fan of leg-spin and in an interview had even mentioned that cricket it is at its most captivating when a leg spinner does battle with an attacking batter. Invariably, Bradman relished watching Warne bowl. “But thankfully we may at last have produced a good leg spinner in young Warne. He’s only 23 and really spins the ball. I am impressed his accuracy,” Bradman wrote on March 15, 1993. In the Test versus New Zealand now being played he is conceding less than two runs an over which is tremendous. He should do well in England.”
As Bradman predicted, months later Warne bowled the Ball of the Century to Mike Gatting in the Ashes that is part of the cricket’s folklore.
With regards to Ponting, Bradman wrote: “Our cricket season is under way and there have been a couple of interesting happenings. Mercantile Mutual Insurance has erected signs around the grounds and offered prizes for anyone who can hit a sign on the full. In Perth yesterday Steve Waugh hit one and won himself $140,000. Yes you are right Peter – I think I played too soon. Young Ponting of Tasmania played a beautiful innings here yesterday and looks a Test prospect.”
Months later Ponting would make his Test debut and finish his career as Australia’s all-time leading run-scorer.
In the letters to his friend, Bradman also speaks about the days after he lost his wife Jessie in 1998 and feeling lonely.
“I am struggling to get on with life but wherever I turn there is sadness and memories. Even after a game of golf or bridge there is no one to talk to and as you rightly said the nights are so empty,” he wrote.
“I don’t go to cricket anymore – I can no longer tolerate the press, TV or autograph hunters who won’t leave me alone when I appear in public so really I am living the life of a recluse. Thank heavens there is TV otherwise I would have nothing to occupy my mind.

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