The dream of following in the footsteps of Sir Donald Bradman was dashed for 22 young cricketers yesterday after vandals desecrated the wicket at Bradman Oval.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The under-14 Southern NSW invitational cricket carnival featuring schoolboy sides from across the southern end of the State was due to conclude with yesterday's final between South Coast and Lachlan at the world-famous venue.
But those hopes were cruelly ended when vandals ripped off the covers on Sunday evening, saturating the grass before churning up the freshly prepared wicket.
Instead, yesterday's final took place at Chevalier College, hardly a comparison with the awe-inspiring Bradman Oval, crushing a long-held dream for the teenage aspiring Bradmans.
An incensed Bradman Foundation director Richard Mulvaney was almost lost for words at the mindless actions of the vandals and their heart-breaking repercussions.
"Bradman Oval is a focal point for the game of cricket and some of these youngsters have travelled long distances for the treat of playing the final here," he said.
"By doing this, these vandals have spoiled the hopes of 22 boys and the people who have done this are probably not much older than the cricketers themselves.
"It's hard to fathom, it achieves nothing and these actions are so immature."
Mr Mulvaney said he had weighed up the pros and cons of giving publicity to the vandals but felt he could no longer continue to sweep this kind of constant vandalism under the carpet.
"Everyone should be aware of this blight on our community and the fact these people do live in our community, they're not coming from outside to do this," he said.
"Someone must know something but it is the community who ends up paying for this vandalism.
"By ignoring it, it's like we are almost condoning it but unfortunately it does seem to be endemic in this shire, and the problem is getting worse."
Graeme Smith from Cricket NSW admitted the boys would be "shattered" when told they would not be appearing in the final at Bradman Oval.
"I imagine they will all be pretty disappointed after playing hard for four days with the pinnacle of a final at Bradman Oval," Mr Smith said.
