The city of Adelaide is famous for its churches. But the South Australian state is also known for the legendary Sir Donald Bradman. It was here Bradman spent the most time of his life.
The man with a Test average of 99.94 was born on August 27, 1908, in Cootamundra, New South Wales and was raised in Bowral. Initially he stayed at 52, Shepherd Street before shifting to 20, Glebe Street, where he stayed for four years. After his passing on February 25, 2001, the South Australian government has ensured that the legend is paid a fitting tribute and people still remember him. On Friday, cricket historian Tony Rose, based in Adelaide, took this correspondent and my colleague Subhayan for a trip to Bradman’s house.
2, Holden Street, which is 3 kilometres drive from the city, stands as a testament to the legacy of cricket’s greatest-ever batsman. Even after his death, the house, once vibrant with his presence, continues to draw visitors, keeping his memory alive. Despite his passing, the number of people visiting the house has remained unchanged, as they seek a connection to the man who shaped the sport. Interestingly, the address written on the letterbox (2A) was intentionally incorrect during his life, to mislead visitors. He did not want to be troubled by fans when alive, and the misdirection continued even after his death.
As we visited the place in the morning, the little kids at Pembroke school were returning home with their parents. The place in and around Holden Street presents a serene look, away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The main road from the airport to the city is called Bradman Drive. A statue of him is installed in front of East Gate at the Adelaide Oval. The museum at the Oval also has several artefacts of Sir Don. But the place of pilgrimage truly must be 2, Holden Street, the place where the legend spent the most part of his life with wife Jessy. His son John and granddaughter Greta stay close his house at Holden Street. Greta still visits the house for maintaining it. Despite multiple offers, the Bradman family has decided not to make the house a heritage building.
Though the house remains locked, cricket enthusiasts from all corners of the globe continue to visit Adelaide, making it a pilgrimage of sorts. For many, this journey also includes a visit to Kensington Oval, Bradman’s home ground, when he played for the Kensington Cricket Club and made his mark in local cricket.
The legacy of Bradman, both as a cricketer and as a figure of inspiration, endures, and his house continues to be a symbol of that remarkable legacy.
