Why is 87 unlucky for Australia?

Why 87 Haunts Australian Cricket History

Cricket fans in Australia know that certain numbers carry weight far beyond the scorecard. Among them, 87 stands out—not for glory, but for heartbreak. It’s not just a number; it’s a ghost that haunts the nation’s cricketing memory, all because of Sir Donald Bradman, the greatest batsman the game has ever seen.

The moment lives on in infamy. During a Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Victoria, Bradman was in full flow, weaving his usual magic with the bat. The crowd expected another century, another masterclass. But then, without warning, Harry 'Bull' Alexander delivered a perfect delivery—neck and crop—and the Don was bowled for 87. The silence was deafening.

While 87 isn’t officially cursed like 13 or 666, in Australian cricket folklore, it’s come to symbolize near-greatness cut short. Bradman himself never publicly cursed the number, but fans did it for him. Every time a top-order batsman falls close to 87, especially in a tight contest, someone in the stands will mutter, “Here we go again.”

It’s more than superstition—it’s reverence. That single dismissal didn’t diminish Bradman’s legacy; if anything, it humanized a near-mythical figure. Yet the echo remains. In a country where cricket is woven into the national identity, moments like these become legend. And so, 87 isn’t just a score. It’s a story—one of brilliance interrupted, of perfection just out of reach.