The Bradmans and the Sydney Cricket Ground - A Remarkable Story

Over the years, the world has witnessed numerous father-son duos in cricket, where both end up forging a career playing the "gentleman’s game".  But the cricketing relationship between Don Bradman and his father, George, was a rather special one.

While George Bradman was no mug on the cricket pitch, a skilled bowler in his youth, he didn’t possess the talent to take him beyond club cricket.  A carpenter by trade, George’s skills with wood came in handy for the young Don; when his son was presented with his first bat, it was far too heavy for him so George re-fashioned it to make it a more appropriate size.

In February 1921, George helped to fuel his son’s passion for cricket by taking him to an Ashes test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), the closest cricket stadium to their home in Bowral.  

George was no stranger to the ground.  In 1896 he was part of a carpentry team that built the formwork for a cycling track that circled the SCG, a ground that would end up becoming one of the most significant places in his son’s life.  

So, as well as giving young Don a love for the game, you could almost argue that George literally created the foundations of the cricketing theatre his son would take centre stage on.

Despite quitting cricket for a year to play tennis when he was in his teens, Don Bradman made his first class debut for New South Wales at the Adelaide Oval at the tender age of 19 and scored a memorable 118.  

He made his first home century for New South Wales in the final match of the season at the SCG, but it was only after twin centuries against the England touring team that he was rewarded with international selection.

As a young boy, Bradman declared that he would “never be satisfied until he played” at the SCG - and it was there that he scored his first multiple century.  In a Sheffield Shield game in 1929, he amassed 340 not out, a then record score at the ground. 

But records are there to be broken after all and a year later Bradman hammered a brutal 452 not out at the very same ground, dominating the Queensland attack with 49 boundaries and scoring what was the highest first class score ever at the time. The record stood for 29 years, a testimony to his genius.

By the 1930s, Bradman’s brilliance was evident. 

People came in their thousands to the SCG to watch the “boy from Bowral” work his magic for New South Wales and Australia. Consistently packed to the rafters, the huge crowds he attracted to the SCG helped boost the stadium's coffers and in 1936 a new stand was opened at the ground.

With Bradman, it wasn’t just about the runs he scored, it was the way he scored them; racing to each milestone, playing eye-catching strokes, his cover drive particularly glorious to watch.

Such was Bradman’s popularity that even during his wedding, onlookers flocked to the church to catch a glimpse of their cricketing idol.

In his final season for New South Wales in 1934 he averaged a truly ridiculous 132.44, much to the delight of the SCG faithful - before he moved to Adelaide to work as a stockbroker as he looked to establish himself off the cricket field.

Even when playing for South Australia he worked his magic in Australia's largest city - In 1939-40, back at the SCG with his new team, Don scored a memorable 251 not out against his old side New South Wales, at a ground he once called home.  That season his average stood at a colossal 144.

Sadly for Don Bradman, he peaked just at the wrong time. The world was devastated by World War Two and sport had to take a back seat.

To make matters worse, Bradman had struggled with fibrosis for many years, but it worsened during the war and his doctor advised against him returning to the game he loved.

Against the odds, Bradman played in the 1946-47 Ashes series and he made an immediate impact, scoring 187 in the first test at the Gabba after controversially refusing to walk when he was caught at second slip off a “bump ball”.

Bradman etched his name into the history books again in the second test; he and Sid Barnes combined to form a record 405 run 5^th wicket partnership, enthralling the Sydney crowd.

The pre-war Bradman was back.

In 1947, India toured Australia for the first time in their history and Bradman didn’t treat the visitors lightly.  Again, he dished up a masterclass at the SCG, scoring 172 – his 100^th first class ton. In what was his final series in Australia, the Don averaged an almost unbelievable 178.5.

The 1948 Ashes would be Bradman’s last international foray and despite his age, he helped the Aussies beat the English 4-0, earning his side the “invincibles” tag. 

Ironically, in his last test innings, Bradman was famously dismissed for a duck, an anti-climatic end to a truly remarkable career.  It left his batting average stuck on 99.94, a whisker short of the magic three figures.

Few sportspeople have ever been as far ahead of their competition as Bradman and although Tendulkar may have scored more runs, there is little doubt that Bradman is the greatest batsman to have ever graced this planet.

In 1973, the Don Bradman Stand was opened at the Sydney Cricket Ground - the very same place where his father built those foundations all those years ago. 

Rest in peace Don Bradman, the greatest batsman of them all, 1908 – 2001.

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