Bradman boost for 2003 CWC

The 2003 Cricket World Cup in South Africa expects to raise at least R1-million from the auction of several valuable items bearing the name of the game's all-time greatest player Sir Donald Bradman.

The money will be used to help establish turf cricket ovals in previously disadvantaged areas which will be known as the Bradman Ovals.

Seven items of memorabilia, including two replica full-length paintings of the late Australian cricketer were presented to Dr Ali Bacher, 2003 CWC executive director, by Mr Mark Tregoning, the Adelaide-based chief executive of Bradman's Walk to Glory program.

The cornerstone of the program is a magnificent oil painting of Sir Donald striding onto the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1937 on his way to scoring a double century against England that was recently voted as the greatest Test innings of all by Wisden.

Two replicas of this painting were awarded to the 2003 CWC when Mr Tregoning visited South Africa earlier this year and two more were presented today. A rare and signed Bradman/Ponsford print was also handed over together with a signed bat and other cricket artwork.

"We were honoured to be party to the announcement by Dr Bacher that the 2003 Cricket World Cup wished to leave a legacy of a number of ovals in disadvantaged areas to assist young South African cricketers," said Mr Tregoning.

"I am confident that the items will realise well over R1 million at the 2003 CWC auctions, enabling the funding of two ovals," he added.

In accepting the memorabilia, Dr Bacher said: "It is truly a great honour that the name of Sir Donald Bradman is being perpetrated in South Africa through the 2003 Cricket World Cup. The legacy of the World Cup is to leave 50 turf cricket ovals in the previously disadvantaged areas and the money raised through Bradman's Walk to Glory program will enable us to meet this commitment."

The handing over ceremony took place at the headquarters of the 2003 Cricket World Cup in Johannesburg today. Also in attendance was Mr Joe Pamensky, a life member of the United Cricket Board of South Africa and the South African patron of Bradman's Walk to Glory program.