Bradman's Greatest Hour: Australia Comes Back from 2-0 Down to Win the 1936-37 Ashes
Australia achieved a remarkable comeback in the 1936-37 Ashes series, recovering from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 under the leadership of Don Bradman. The series was marked by personal tragedy for Bradman, whose first-born son had died just six weeks before the series began.
The pivotal Third Test at Melbourne was rain-affected, with Bradman declaring Australia's innings closed at 200 for 9. Following a rest day, England were bowled out for 76 for 9, witnessed by a crowd exceeding 87,000. Bradman employed strategic deception through his declarations and defense tactics involving the tail-end batsmen to preserve Australia's lead on crucial days.
In that match, Bradman and Jack Fingleton forged a world-record sixth-wicket partnership of 346 runs. Bradman scored 270 runs in 437 minutes, granting Australia a 221-run lead as England faced the daunting prospect of chasing 689 runs for victory. Wisden later recognized this innings as the greatest of all time.
At the Adelaide Test, Bradman scored 212 runs, leading Australia to a 148-run victory that leveled the series. In the final Test, Bradman contributed 169 runs as Australia won by an innings and 200 runs, completing their historic comeback.
