London: ICC President David Morgan on Wednesday paid tribute to Donald Bradman on the occasion of the Australian's birth centenary and said the legend's name has become a by-word even for the uninitiated.

"No name in cricket conjures up such widespread awe and respect as that of Sir Donald Bradman," said Morgan.

"Even people with just a passing knowledge of the game or in countries where he never played will invariably recognise the name Bradman as a by-word for brilliance...Soccer has Pele and cricket has Bradman," he added.

Looking back at Bradman's awe-inspiring career, the ICC chief said, "Even now, 60 years after his final Test match and with time to put his achievements into context, his batting average of 99.94 still seems scarcely believable, especially when one compares it to those of the many other players to have graced the game at the highest level.

"This centenary offers us an opportunity to reflect upon the role the Don played in popularising the game through his attacking style of batting," he added.

Morgan also took the occasion to point out that Bradman was much more than just the best batsman the game has ever seen.

"...he was a captain too, he looked to lead as he played, in a positive manner, and his 1948 side including the likes of Keith Miller, Neil Harvey, Arthur Morris and Ray Lindwall is rightly remembered as one of the greatest line-ups of all time.

"We should also remember the way he gave back to the game after he finished playing, as a selector and as an administrator with the Australian Cricket Board and the Imperial Cricket Conference," he said.