On Monday 2nd November 1931, a special cricket match took place at Blackheath between teams representing the local community and Lithgow. Organised by the Blackheath Municipal Council, the event was used to christen the newly installed malthoid wicket, the first of its kind in the Western Districts.
The Test players Wendell Bill and Don Bradman were specially invited to represent Blackheath in the local team. Few in the crowd could have known what a memorable match it turned out to be. ‘The Don’, in his own words, “had a day out” and what a day it was!
In one three-over period, in which he faced 22 balls, Bradman hit 10 sixes, 9 fours, a two and 2 singles, running up what was probably the fastest century ever scored.
He was finally caught on 256, an innings that ensured a Blackheath victory. The cricket bat Bradman used in the match was later given to the Blackheath Mayor, Peter Sutton, who had it mounted on the wall of the Council offices.
A story survives that he occasionally asked people to swear on it when a truthful response was required. It is now in the Bradman Museum in Bowral.
References:
Local Studies files at Blue Mountains City Library
A century in three overs, Tom Downes, Sydney Sun, Nov 2nd 1931
For more information or to visit the Local Studies collection, please contact the Local Studies Librarian at Springwood Library.
