Pure gold and silver coin to be tossed for the first npower Test

A pure gold and silver Australian coin, issued as a national tribute to the late cricket legend, Sir Donald Bradman, will be tossed to start the First 'npower' Test between Australia and England, which begins tomorrow at Edgbaston in England.

One of only 10,000 Bi-Metal commemorative coins issued jointly by the Royal Australian Mint and The Perth Mint, in association with the Bradman Foundation, the coin features an image of Sir Donald wearing his baggy green cap. It will be donated to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after the toss.

The Sir Donald Bradman Bi-Metal Coin is the most limited and prestigious of three legal tender commemorative coins issued by Australia in honour of Bradman, who died on 25 February at the age of 92. Limited mintage silver and bronze coins have also been released.

The idea of tossing the Bradman Bi-Metal coin to commence the First Test was put forward by Mr Richard Mulvaney, Executive Officer of the Bradman Foundation, which runs the Bradman Museum in Sir Donald's home town of Bowral, NSW, and fosters young cricketing talent through sponsorships, scholarships and coaching clinics.

"Sir Donald's legendary career was forged on The Ashes battlefield and his amazing batting feats are part of the rich Ashes tradition," he said.

"It is a wonderful gesture on behalf of the England and Wales Cricket Board to pay tribute to 'The Don' in this milestone year by tossing a coin struck in his honour."

Universally acknowledged as the world's greatest ever batsman, Sir Donald Bradman still holds several key Ashes records, more than 50 years after his final Test appearance.

These include the most runs in an Ashes series (974 at an average of 139.14 in 1930) and the highest total Ashes runs (5,028 at an average of 89.78).

Bradman, who preferred batting in England because the light was softer and the turf more yielding than at home, made 2,674 Test runs in England at an average of 102.84 between 1930 and 1948. His most successful ground was Headingley, in Leeds, where he averaged 192.60 in four Tests.

Idolised by generations of Australians and cricket fans throughout the world, in a total of only 52 Test matches, Sir Donald scored 6,996 runs at an average of 99.94, a career record unlikely ever to be bettered.

"He was a batsman without peer, a highly respected cricket administrator, and a gentleman both on and off the field - a national and international cricket legend, whose memory will forever be etched on the Australian psyche," said Mr Mulvaney.

The Sir Donald Bradman Bi-Metal, Silver and Bronze Coins are available from the Royal Australian Mint, The Perth Mint, selected Australia Post outlets and major Australian coin dealers.

For further information:
Veronica Maguire - The Perth Mint : (61 8) 9421 7252
Anton Porzig - The Royal Australian Mint : (61 2) 6202 6858

Courtesy: perthmint.com