Sir Don Bradman came into the 1932 Ashes - also known as the Bodyline series - with a great reputation, having plundered 974 runs in the previous Ashes in 1930. Also, in his last Test innings, he had scored 299* against South Africa.
When Bradman walked out to bat in the first innings of the second Test (he missed the first Test), the whole MCG stood up to greet him. However, Bradman was out the first ball, hooking a ball outside the line of stumps back onto the stumps, leaving the whole ground in shock.
As it is stated in one of the biographies on Sir Don, around 550 km away from MCG, in Hobart, a certain Mr. P. Hancock, who was listening to proceedings of the game on a radio in his hotel, was so disappointed with Bradman's duck, he walked out to take a stroll.
Wandering aimlessly in disgust of Bradman's performance, he saw three kids drowning in a nearby river, with the youngest of the lot later reported to be only 2 and a half years old.
Mr. Hancock dived in without taking off his clothes and it is believed the three kids were saved by him.
Bradman's duck was a highly unanticipated event. However, it seems it had a bigger significance than just a number on the scoreboard as it ended up in a much bigger cause.
Bradman came back strongly in the second innings, scoring 103* in Australia's 111-run victory.
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