In Sydney, the passing of Sir Donald Bradman, widely acclaimed as the greatest cricketer in history, has left Australia and the global cricket community in a state of mourning. At the age of 92, the esteemed Test legend and iconic figure in Australian sports peacefully departed this world in his sleep at his residence in Adelaide, as conveyed by Richard Mulvaney of the Bradman Museum.
Bradman's health had been in decline, and he was in the process of recuperating from a recent bout of pneumonia. Mulvaney noted that Bradman's passing occurred serenely during his slumber, with his family by his side shortly thereafter. The cricketing legend had been battling pneumonia since before the Christmas holidays.
Plans for Bradman's farewell include a private funeral, to be followed later by a state memorial service at a cathedral overlooking the Adelaide Oval, where he showcased some of his most remarkable innings.
Known for his penchant for privacy, Bradman had expressed his desire for a modest farewell, likely to be observed later this week, as confirmed by his family. While the South Australian government extended an offer for a state funeral, the family opted for a public memorial service instead.
Throughout Monday, tributes poured in from across the nation, with flags lowered to half-mast in honor of Australia's revered figure from the era of the Great Depression.
Prime Minister John Howard, a cricket enthusiast, conveyed his condolences on behalf of all Australians, emphasizing Bradman's role in uplifting the nation's spirits during the trying times of the 1930s. Reflecting on Bradman's legacy, Howard remarked that he transcended his status as a cricketing legend to become a dominant Australian personality, unmatched in the past century.
