Bradman Oval facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bradman Oval |
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| Location | Glebe Street, Bowral, Wingecarribee Shire, New South Wales, Australia |
| Elevation | 690m |
| Built | 1893 |
| Owner | Wingecarribee Shire Council |
| Official name: Bradman Oval and Collection of Cricket Memorabilia; Glebe Park | |
| Type | state heritage (complex / group) |
| Designated | 23 June 2000 |
| Reference no. | 1399 |
| Type | Cricket Pitch/ Ground |
| Category | Recreation and Entertainment |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Ground information | |
| International information | |
| Only women's Test | 15 February 2008: Australia v  England |
| First WODI | 1 February 2000: Australia v England |
| Last WODI | 18 November 2014: Australia v  West Indies |
| As of 7 September 2020 Source: CricketArchive |
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Bradman Oval is a famous cricket ground in Bowral, New South Wales, Australia. It's named after the legendary cricketer Sir Don Bradman. He lived nearby and played many games here when he was young. His ashes are even scattered on and around the Oval. This special place is also known as Glebe Park. It was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on June 23, 2000, meaning it's a protected historical site.
The ground is very pretty, with a classic white picket fence and an old-fashioned pavilion. Tall Camden Woollybutt trees surround the playing area. It can hold up to 5,000 people when temporary stands are used. Bradman Oval and the nearby International Cricket Hall of Fame are popular places for cricket fans from all over the world to visit.
Contents
History of Bradman Oval
How Cricket Started Here
The land where Bradman Oval sits was once part of Glebe Park. This land was given to the Church of England a long time ago. The Bowral Cricket Club was formed in 1883. People have been playing cricket on this ground since 1893.
Don Bradman's Early Years
In 1911, George and Emily Bradman moved to a house next to the oval in Bowral. Their youngest child, Don Bradman, lived here from age three to fifteen. Don went to Bowral Public School starting in 1913. He was very good at math and French. He later became a talented pianist and a successful businessman.
When Don was 12, he scored his first century (100 runs in a single game) while living in this house. Every afternoon after school, he would practice cricket. He used a golf ball and a cricket stump, hitting the ball against the tank stand. This practice helped him develop amazing reflexes. These skills later made him the greatest batsman in Australia. He achieved an incredible batting average of 99.94 runs. It was also here that he met Jessie Menzies, who later became his wife for 65 years.
Bradman's Games at the Oval
Don Bradman first played on this oval when he was 12 years old. He scored 29 runs without being out for the Bowral Cricket Club. In 1925, Bradman joined the Bowral Cricket Club. During his first season in the Berrima District competition, he scored 1,318 runs. This was an average of 94.14 runs per game. He also took 51 wickets and held 26 catches.
Another famous game on this ground was in 1925. Bradman scored 234 runs against the Wingello team. That team included another great Australian cricketer, Bill O'Reilly.
Naming and Improvements
In 1947, the cricket pitch was officially named "Bradman Oval." Later, the Bowral Municipal Council and Gordon Whatman helped improve the oval. Gordon Whatman personally looked after the wicket area.
In 1976, Sir Donald Bradman himself helped reopen the improved Bradman Oval. He was joined by the famous Australian bowler Bill O'Reilly. The Pavilion, which overlooks the oval, opened in 1989. It has a Player's Club Room, change rooms, and a meeting room. Next to the Pavilion is the Museum, which opened on August 27, 1996. This was Sir Donald's 88th birthday.
What Bradman Oval Looks Like
Bradman Oval is surrounded by Glebe Street, Boolwey Street, St Jude Street, and Bowral Street. It's part of a large park with many old eucalyptus trees. These trees might be left over from the original plants in the area. Some trees on the eastern corner make the site feel enclosed and welcoming. There are also oak trees along St Jude's Road.
The park also has a children's playground. You can find an old road roller and an adventure playground on the eastern side. This is also where the International Cricket Hall of Fame is located.
Why Bradman Oval is Special
Bradman Oval is important because of its strong connection to Sir Donald Bradman. It shows where he played cricket when he was growing up. The Bradman Museum and the oval's name change also highlight its importance to Australian cricket history.
The oval was once called Glebe Park. It represents the simple design of country town parks from the early 1900s. These parks had a basic layout of trees and a few shrubs. This shows how Bowral started to focus on creating beautiful garden environments. The mix of old eucalyptus trees and deciduous trees makes the park very attractive.
Bradman Oval was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on June 23, 2000. This means it is recognized as a place of historical importance.
