Meeting Bradman at Bowral

Premasara EPASINGHE

From the time I represented my Alma-mater Nalanda Vidyalaya, Colombo, in 1956/1957, as wicket-keeper cum opening batsman, then, later playing in Division I and II, Sara Trophy and the Daily News Trophy donning the University Cricket Colours, I had three ambitions in life. (i) to visit the Mecca of Cricket, Lords, (ii) To make a tour to Sir Don Bradman's home town Bowral to see the Museum (iii) to witness a match at the MCG. Thank God I have achieved all three now.

During my academic career at the University, I was more committed to pursue my studies and I knew that I will not be able to represent my country in cricket, but, I never gave up my love for the game. Nearly four decades, I played, commented, coached as the POG and Master-in-Charge of Cricket at Nalanda, when I joined the teaching staff as a graduate teacher. Further, I served as a cricket selector of the Schools Cricket Association for four years.

I visited Bradman's village Bowral in Mittgong and the Bradman Museum along with my son Bhagya, former Thomian, University of Ceylon Colombo, NCC and Gaborrone, Botswana opener, Bhagya who presently domiciled in Canberra, Australia as a Director of Finance in a Government Institution, his beloved wife Sumudi, a Senior Financial Accountant and my cute little grandson Viraan.

We stayed a couple of days in Sydney - the capital and port of New South Wales. On our way back home to Canberra, the Capital of Australia, since 1908, situated in Australian Capital Territory - ACT, enclosed within NSW, on a tributary of the Murrumbidgee River area including the Port of Javis Bay - 2,432 Sq Km/939 Sq Ml. We broke our journey at Bowral for lunch. It took about one and half hours to reach Bowral from Sydney. Vast green cover, cold and misty mountains have all added to Bowral - Mittgong's charm and mystique.

Bradman Museum and Bowral Oval are treasure houses of history for sports enthusiasts all over the world.

My sporting hero and idol Don Bradman, can be compared to Mount Everest. The other sports personalities like Muhamed Ali, Cassius Clay, Carl Lewis, Arantas Do Nascimento popularly known as PELE, Basket-ball player Michael Jordon are like other mountains surrounding the great Himalayan range. Greg Chappel, Alan Border, Sunil Gavaskar very rightly said when they surpassed Bradman's runs. "Please put him first on the Pedestal and think of us as ordinary mortals and average players."

I presume, that the world has not seen or in the future see a Bradman's equal. In consistency and big scores, there is hardly anyone to compare with Bradman. The statistics alone proves it. In 52 Tests and 80 innings, he scored 6,996 runs and remained unbeaten on 10 occasions with a highest individual Test score of 334 and an amazing and unbelievable average of 99.94 with 29 centuries. Bradman was undoubtedly a Super Star. I authored my second book titled Bradman Yugaya, Bradman Era which includes about sixty chapters in Sinhala and English. The forward of Bradman Era, (a Sarasavi Publication) was written by the internationally reputed Tony Greig and he concludes it in this manner.

"It is with pleasure that I wish Premasara Epasinghe good luck with this endeavour to bring Australian Cricket and Bradman, in particular, to the people of Sri Lanka." I presented a copy of my book "Bradman Era" to the Bowral Bradman Museum & Library.

The Bradman Museum and Bowral Oval is located just off the F's Freeway, Hume High way. Bowral is a silent township nestling in a picturesque valley, and it is a breadthtaking sight. Bradman Museum and Bowral Oval are treasure houses of history for sports enthusiasts all over the world. The Bradman Museum consists of five galleries, two theatres, a tea room and a gift shop. The historic museum, explores the fascinating game of cricket and brings to life its traditions and history over centuries of play.

The lower floor galleries explore the beginnings of cricket featuring fascinating artefacts and curios from the 17th century right through to modern international sport. A hundred seat theatre screens arachic film footage, which often a new insight into the heyday of Cricket.

The Bradman Gallery is in upstairs. Here, you find Bradman's first bat, many replicas and items that he used, in his distinguished career.

In one of the rooms, I saw and was taken a back to witness a life size sculpture depicting Genius Bradman with pads, seated in the dressing room wearing the Australian Baggy Cap.

The second theatre, features an international exhibition of sporting giants.

Surrounding the museum are the world famous Bradman Oval, Bradman family home, life size Bradman bronze statue and Sir Don Bradman and Lady Jessie Bradman Commemorative Garden. Bowral - Mittgong environment is salubrious and pleasant.

Three of us had lunch at the cafeteria and little Viraan had his feed biscuits, ice-cream and seated in his pram. We left at about 2.00 p.m. and reached Bhagya's residence at about 4.00 p.m.