Don's bat goes to Australian

Sydney, Sep 25 (UNI) Legend any cricketer Sir Donald Bradman's first Test bat was picked up by an Australian bidder for 1,22,000 dollar, much more than the pre-sale estimated price.

The bat, signed by the entire 1928-29 Australian and England teams, will thus stay in the country, to the relief of many in Australia.

''This is very special - any piece that Donald Bradman used or wore in his Test career is really the pick of the tree as far as Australian cricketing memorabilia is concerned,'' Auctioneer Charles Leski told mediapersons yesterday.

''To have the bat he used in his first Test was really a sensational piece for us. We are delighted that the market agreed with us,'' he added.

However, the bat did not get to see much action as Bradman had an unimpressive debut, managing to score only 18 and 1 in the first Test against England in Brisbane in the 1928-29 series and was dropped from the team.

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