The Bradman house that Leeming rebuilt

The investor explained in detail the research done in recreating various aspects of the famous house in Shepherd Street. Leeming described the various options available to cricket tourists wishing to know more about Bradman, first-hand at the house.

Andrew Leeming (right), owner and restorer of Bradman House, making a presentation on restoring the property, at the Press Club in Mumbai. N. Ram, Chairman, KSL and Gideon Haigh, senior cricket writer, are also present.

The work done by Andrew Leeming in restoring the house where Sir Donald Bradman lived in Bowral was described by renowned Australian cricket writer Gideon Haigh as an effort to bring out dimensions of the man not uncovered till now. “Andrew tried to say something fresh about Bradman, now when we thought we know everything.”

Marvelling at the iconic Australian cricketer, at an event jointly organised by the Mumbai Press Club and  The Hindu,  Haigh said: “Seven decades after he played, we are still talking about him. Bradman arrived at his own methods to grow as a performer, very much in keeping with the Australian respect for result rather than style. Steven Smith showed that quality in the Test match (Pune).” The current Aussie skipper showed strength of character and cricketing intelligence in dealing with Indian spinners on a turning track.

The highly resourceful nature of Bradman, seen in the way he dealt with cricketing challenges and responded to situations in sport and life, took root in childhood at the Bowral home, which Leeming bought after reading an advertisement and renovated. Wielding a cricket stump, batting reactions were honed trying to connect with a golf ball thrown against a rough water tank stand; the varied bounce also sharpened fielding.

The investor explained in detail the research done in recreating various aspects of the famous house in Shepherd Street. Leeming described the various options available to cricket tourists wishing to know more about Bradman, first-hand at the house.

Kasturi & Sons Limited Chairman N. Ram introduced Leeming. He said: “This is the story about how this place at 52 Shepherd Street, Bowral, was saved thanks to private philanthropy. Andrew Leeming did not go looking for the house, the house found him. For the last 10 years, he has been working at this.” 

Listeners included former India Test captains Nari Contractor and Diana Eduljee, the latter now on the Committee of Administrators (COA). BCCI administrators Ratnakar Shetty and Rahul Johri were present. Cricket columnist Ayaz Memon emceed the event. Leeming told the audience that Sunil Gavaskar and Aussie cricketer Simon Katich had visited the house at Bowral.