8 - Bowral - Home of Donald Bradman and the International Cricket Museum

Sir Donald Bradman
The King of Cricket

 

Bradman's boyhood home 
2 blocks from the Cricket Museum

The International Cricket Museum
is huge and well done

Donald Bradman was about 5-7. He lived in Bowral (pronounced Barrel) about 80 miles south of Sidney. He is without question the greatest cricketer of all time. He played for 20 years - then was a game administrator for another 40 years. Although the birthplace and hot bed of cricket is England - Bradman's records are head over heels above any other player. 

His most famous run was made in 1948. He led the Australian Invincibles on a tour through 45 British cities against the best of the best. During the 5 month tour the Australians were undefeated. He became Sir Donald Bradman. The whole country turned out to see him play. 

Within walking distance of his boyhood home is the International Cricket Museum and the Bradman Oval - where he played cricket while in school. His boyhood home is restored to the time of his childhood. 

Bowral sits on the old train line from Sydney to Melbourne. It passes right through town and also Canberra - our destination. The train only has 3 cars - but you can also hear freight train whistles pass by at night from our hotel. We are about 200 yards from the station. The town reminds one very much of the British countryside. Mount Gibraltar at 2800 feet is just out our hotel window. 

Today - it is overcast and 54. As soon as Lulu's class is over at 10 AM our time - we will pack up - and head to Canberra - population 400,000 - the capital of Australia. 

The Bradman Oval - still used today

The Wizard of the Willow
was 5-7.

Please come out just for 
one more parade

Bradman's wife lived with the his family 
as a boarder before they married

The team that went to England
in 1948 - and never lost

They have batting averages - 
and other stats. 
Similar to baseball.
Note - the 12th man.

One interesting rule - 
the pitch must bounce
before you hit it

Australia team colors - 
green and gold

Donald Bradman met Babe Ruth

They talk about wearing 
the baggy green hat

The homes in Bowral 
are well manicured

Bradman's address

This Holden is a typical 
4wd truck

It is hard to believe we left Tallahassee last Thursday. This is Day 8 - and we will finally get to Canberra. We spent 3 nights in Sydney - 2 nights in Bowral - 1 night on the plane - and lost 1 night crossing The International Date Line. 

I am looking forward to the Canberra apartment and doing the laundry. It is day 8 - and I only brought 6 changes of clothes.