Izzy and the Magic Cricket Ball: Don Bradman and the Heartbreak of 99

Izzy stood at the crease, his heart pounding. 99 runs. Just one more for his first-ever century. The field was tight, the pressure immense. He tapped his bat, took a deep breath, and faced the bowler. The delivery was short—his favorite shot. He rocked back, aiming to pull it to the boundary. Crack!

The ball soared high, but not far enough. The fielder sprinted, dived—and caught it. Izzy stood frozen. Out for 99. The walk back felt endless. His teammates clapped, but all he felt was disappointment. He sank onto a bench, staring at the scoreboard.

His magic ball tingled. The world blurred, and suddenly—he was somewhere else. The crowd around him wore old-fashioned suits and hats. The scoreboard read: Australia vs. England – The Oval, 1948.

Izzy’s breath caught. This was Don Bradman’s final Test.

Disclaimer: This story contains elements that have been tailored for creative and entertainment purposes. While some aspects may be inspired by real events or people, certain details have been modified or fictionalised and should not be considered entirely factual.