Wisden award is an honour — Bradman

Bradman topped the list of the five top cricketers of the 20th century compiled from a poll commissioned by the respected cricket almanac of 100 cricketers and journalists.

He received 100 votes, edging West Indian all rounder Gary Sobers by 10 votes for the top position, with England’s Jack Hobbs, Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne and West Indian batsman Viv Richards making up the five.

“I’m very honoured to have been selected as one of the five Wisden cricketers of the century,” said Bradman in a statement issued through the Bradman Museum in Bowral, New South Wales.

He said he was also pleased that Hobbs was chosen in the poll because the English batsman was “one of my boyhood heroes.”

Bradman hit 29 centuries in 52 Tests and had a Test average of 99.94 — still easily a world record — when he retired in 1948. In first class cricket, he amassed 28,067 at an average of 95.14, his top score being 452 not out for New South Wales.

Warne, who recently overtook Dennis Lillee’s Australian record of 355 Test wickets, was the only current cricketer among the top five.

Warne was the only specialist bowler as well as the only current player to make the top five.

Like Bradman, Warne, who broke Dennis Lillee’s Australian Test record of 355 wickets against New Zealand a fortnight ago, said he was thrilled by the recognition.

“It’s a huge honour to be included while I’m still playing and it’s hard for me to wrap my head around it,” Warne said.

“I’m very shocked because I didn’t know about it. Even if I had known about it I wouldn’t have expected to be chosen.”

Unlike the other four greats, all knighted by the British monarch on the nomination of their Governments, Warne is unlikely to become Sir Shane Warne– Australia and its State Governments no longer nominate people for British honours.