Christie's to auction Bradman bat

Christie's are to auction a cricket bat signed in two different eras by Sir Donald Bradman in July, the auction house said on Wednesday.

Bradman, considered the greatest batsman to have played the game and who died on February 25 this year aged 92, signed the bat during the infamous Bodyline Ashes series between Australia and England in 1932-33 and again in 1963 when he played in a Prime Minister's XI game against England.

"This is a unique icon of Australian cricket history and is replete with historic associations, even beyond Bradman, which demonstrate the sporting, social and political significance of the game of cricket to the very fabric of Australian society," Christie's spokesman Michael Ludgrove said in a statement.

Ludgrove said the G.A. Perry Australian-made 'Premier Driver' cricket bat is the only known bat to have been signed by Bradman in 1932-33 and again in 1963.

The Bodyline series, where England's captain Douglas Jardine directed fast bowlers Harold Larwood and Bill Voce to bowl short-pitched deliveries at Australia's batsmen, strained diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Australian crowds were close to rioting as several Australian batsmen were hit by the frighteningly fast Larwood.

The bat was acquired by the current owner at a testimonial in 1983 for former Australian wicketkeeper Rod Marsh.

Christie's expects to realise at least US$10,000 for the bat at the auction on July 31.

Mail Cricket Editor