Basking in Bowral's blessing

It’s the first day of the new year, and Bowral -- a sleepy town nearly two hours by train from Sydney -- appears hungover from New Year’s Eve celebrations. The town, nestled in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, seems to have pressed pause on its usual activities. Your destination is the Bradman Museum, a homage to the greatest cricketer the world has ever known, Sir Donald Bradman. Upon arriving at the small, two-track station, you realise there are no cabs available to take you there. A quick glance at Google Maps reveals that the museum is just 1.5 kilometers away. Not far, but the blazing morning sun makes the journey feel longer and more gruelling.

It’s only 8:30 am, but the sun’s intensity mimics the harshness of an Indian summer afternoon. The streets are eerily quiet. No shops are open, and the occasional passerby is usually accompanied by a dog on a leash. The thought crosses your mind: what if the museum isn’t open yet? It would be a bitter disappointment. Fortunately, as you approach the Bradman Museum, you see it is open, and any lingering doubts dissipate.

Before reaching the museum, your attention is drawn to the Bradman Oval -- a picturesque cricket ground framed by rolling hills. Its charm is undeniable, a blend of natural beauty and historical significance. This is the very ground where Bradman first wielded a cricket bat, beginning his iconic journey to greatness. You pause for a while, sitting on one of the wooden benches along the boundary lines, soaking in the serenity and imagining the echoes of cricket history reverberating through the ground.

Behind the players’ changing rooms stands the museum, unassuming in size but brimming with treasures. As you approach, a life-size bronze statue of Bradman, dressed in full cricketing gear, welcomes you. It’s a striking tribute that sets the tone for what lies inside. Entering through the changing rooms and a small cafeteria, you step into a world where cricket’s past comes alive.

The first thing that catches your eye is a large group photograph of the 1948 Australian cricket team, famously known as “The Invincibles.” A bat signed by every member of the team and a brief note detailing their unbeaten tour of England in 1948 command your attention. Another wall features captivating cricket photographs from around the globe. One particular image stands out -- a group of saree-clad women pushing a heavy pitch roller, likely somewhere in South India.

The museum is a treasure trove of Bradman memorabilia, but it also delves into the broader history of cricket. There’s a collection of photographs chronicling the life of Richie Benaud, another cricketing great who later became a revered broadcaster. Benaud, often regarded as the most influential Australian cricketer after Bradman, was also a patron of the Bradman Foundation.

For any cricket enthusiast, the museum is a revelation. It charts the evolution of the game, from its Anglo-Saxon roots in the term “cricce” to its unexpected birthplace in France, and its global expansion since 1844. A section is dedicated to the little-known history of Indigenous Australians’ involvement in cricket, dating back to 1868, when an all-Aboriginal team toured England -- a milestone depicted through text and group photographs.

The museum also hosts an impressive collection of audio and video archives. These include recordings of legendary cricket moments, such as the rise of the Ashes as the sport’s fiercest rivalry and the infamous Bodyline series of the 1930s. One anecdote encapsulates the tensions of that era: during a match, an Australian spectator named Yabba shouts at England captain Douglas Jardine, the mastermind of the controversial leg theory, “Hey, leave our flies alone! They’re the only friends you’ve got!” as the English skipped waves a persistent fly off his face. 

From the museum, you learn that Bradman lived in Bowral from 1911 to 1924 at 52 Shepherd Street. Though the house has changed hands many times, its essence has been meticulously preserved by local authorities and its various owners. A replica of an Australian dressing room from Bradman’s era adds another layer of nostalgia. A poignant scene within shows Bradman seated on a wooden bench, his face buried in his hands, perhaps contemplating a rare failure at the crease. The room is throwback to the simplicity of cricket in that time.

The museum also features a movie about Kerry Packer’s revolutionary World Series Cricket. Initially met with resistance, the series later transformed the sport, introducing day-night matches, coloured clothing, and player contracts. Bradman, who initially opposed Packer’s breakaway series, eventually negotiated a compromise, ensuring the game’s traditions remained intact while embracing change.

A section dedicated to women’s cricket celebrates the contributions of female players to the sport. Another explores the India-Australia rivalry, chronicling their most memorable encounters. The evolution of the iconic Baggy Green cap, a symbol of Australian cricket, is also given pride of place.

The exit aisle is lined with hand-painted portraits and inspirational quotes from cricketing legends, a fitting conclusion to a journey through the game’s history.

The Bradman Museum is more than just a tribute to Bradman. It reflects Australia’s deep respect for its cricketing heritage, preserving stories that transcend the sport. For anyone visiting Australia, particularly Sydney, the museum is a must-see. It’s not just a visit; it’s a cricketing pilgrimage, a spiritual experience that lingers long after you leave Bowral.

The Bradman Oval

There’s a collection of photographs chronicling the life of Richie Benaud another cricketing great who later became a revered broadcaster.

The first thing that catches your eye is a large group photograph of the 1948 Australian cricket team famously known as “The Invincibles".