Bradman's First Bat

The bat where it all began.

In 1920/21, at age 12, Don Bradman was scorer for the senior Bowral Cricket Club team that included his father (as umpire), brother and two uncles.

One weekend, the team was a player short and so the young Don Bradman was sent out to play on the Saturday. He scored 37 'not out'.

As a reward for this fine effort, team member Sid Cupitt gave Bradman this bat. The bat was second-hand, damaged due to Cupitt splitting it while playing in a previous match.

Although Bradman speaks of his father (a carpenter) removing 3 inches off the bottom of the bat to meet his height, he recalled in a later interview that it was probably only about half an inch to one inch removed.

Bradman used the bat for five seasons.

In 1925-26, Bradman used this bat in his first full season with the Bowral Cricket Club, where he scored a district record of 300 in the final against Moss Vale.

It was that moment when the name 'Don Bradman' started heading further afield, than the local Southern Highlands.

The First Bat is made of wood and waxed twine, produced by City and Suburban Sports Manufacturers, Sydney, Australia, c.1918.

The bat is heavily worn, yet over a century later has given the wood a warm patina and beautiful amber colour.

But if you look closely, you can still see etched on the back the scores of a proud young cricketer, Don Bradman:
51 n.o.
26 n.o.
59 n.o.
234
14 and 66
105
25 and 0
2
120
300