Memorial service an unexpected bonus for Hoskin

Serving as president of New Zealand Cricket has many benefits but one unexpected bonus for Dave Hoskin was being chosen along with Walter Hadlee to represent New Zealand at the memorial service for Sir Donald Bradman in Adelaide on Sunday.

Hoskin said it was an outstanding cricket occasion celebrating the life of the man who is, was and will always be the greatest cricketer.

"What impressed me was the magnificence of the family and the aplomb they showed in handling a very delicate thing for them.

"John Bradman spoke from the heart, not of Sir Donald or Don Bradman, but his Dad and he exhorted the people of Australia not to treat his father as a demigod but as a man of honesty and integrity.

"He spoke of his modesty and that while he was a brilliant cricketer, he was still his father.

"His grand-daughter Greta then spoke of her Grandpop and his early music interests and his ability to play Chopin brilliantly," he said.

She said that he hadn't been able to play Chopin to the standard he wanted in recent years so she had played it to him and with a friend had then sung the Pie Jesu from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requiem.

"She has a glorious voice and has been well-tutored.

"His grandson Tom spoke briefly about him and then read a poem which had been found among Bradman's papers, typed out on his typewriter and placed among his papers. The poem spoke of his love for his wife Lady Jessie," he said.

After the service there had been the chance to meet many of the cricketing dignitaries who attended.

"Not only was being asked to attend the service an unexpected bonus of the presidency but it was an opportunity to travel with Walter Hadlee who is a lovely man," he said.

"The occasion was one of the highlights of my life," Hoskin said.