Don’t enslave Sir Don with worship -- John Bradman

Don’t enslave Sir Don with worship -- John Bradman
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Adelaide (Australia), March 25: Some came from across the world, others from across the road, united to honour a man many had never met. By the time bells at St Peter’s Anglican Cathedral chimed moments before a memorial service for Sir Donald Bradman began on Sunday evening, rains started but it failed to have any effect on the crowd.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard attended, as did representatives of most major cricket-playing countries, all to honour Bradman who died on February 25 at the age of 92 at his Adelaid home.

Thousands more watched from the nearby Adelaide Oval and in Sydney live television broadcasts. Organisers of the service said overseas television would see up to 100 million watch in India, 10 million in Pakistan and millions more elsewhere.

‘‘We are all astonished and moved that he has touched so many lives,’’ said his son, John Bradman.

He urged people not to treat his father as an icon.

‘‘We must not be too serious about him and we must not treat him as a religious figure,’’ he said. ‘‘Don’t enslave him with worship.’’

Five of Bradman’s all-conquering 1948 Australian side that toured England undefeated attended Neil Harvey, Sam Loxton, Ron Hamence, Doug Ring and Bill Johnston. Only nine of the side led by Bradman and labelled the invincibles are still living.

Other speakers at the ceremony in the 750-seat Church included former Australian captain Richie Benaud and Australian Governor-General Sir William Deane.

Benaud said he was happy to be around when Bradman loomed large as the Australian chairman of selectors. ‘‘He had the most brilliant and incisive mind of anyone I have come across in cricket,’’ Benaud said. ‘‘But above all, he was true Aussie.

‘‘He was a sportsman not just for a few sessions, or a few days, but for all eras and all Sports followers.’’

The memorial service guest list included cricketers such as West Indian duo Sir Everton Weekes and Sir Vivian Richards, former Indian captain Nawaab Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, as well as former Australian cricket captains Bill Lawry, Greg Chappell and Graham Yallop.

In addition to the well-known names, about 60 ordinary Australians were invited inside the Cathedral after being nominated by various cricket clubs around South Australia State in line with the wishes of Bradman.

‘‘At any time did he ever become his own hero,’’ said John Bradman during his remarks on Sunday. ‘‘He was never pompous and he never lost his dignity.’’Deane read a message from Queen Elizabeth II to the memorial service. She described Bradman as ‘‘a man who embodied the best of the Australian spirit.’’‘‘I know that he brought pleasure to many,’’ the Queen’s message said. The service concluded after one hour and 45 minutes with a musical tribute to Bradman by Australian country music singer John Williamson.Bradman had a Test scoring average of 99.94, an average about 40 to 50 runs higher than most outstanding players.

His last match came at the Oval in South London, when he went into his final innings needing just four runs foe a career average of 100. He was bowled without scoring while facing his second ball.