CRICKET
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TWO cricket greats were toasted in a marvellous celebration in Bowral on Saturday.
A new painting of the late Sir Donald Bradman and Richie Benaud was unveiled at the Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame.
The artwork of Bradman and Richie shaking hands was completed by local Dave Thomas and commissioned by the Bradman Foundation.
Bradman grew up playing cricket in Bowral while Richie was a patron of the Bradman Foundation.
The painting has been hung on the wall at the museum, alongside a display about Richie.
A large crowd of cricket enthusiasts attended Saturday's unveiling ceremony at the museum.
Guests included Richie's wife Daphne Benaud, Richie's brother John and his wife Lindsay.
Former South African cricket great Barry Richards also attended the event.
The painting was unveiled by Daphne with help from emcee Mike Coward.
Daphne said she had a print copy of the painting at her home.
"I see Richie and The Don every half hour of my life," she said.
"I think it's magnificent."
Daphne said her late husband was a great supporter of the Bradman Museum.
"This place meant a lot to him and it does to me as well."
Bradman executive director Rina Hore said it was a big day for the foundation.
"It doesn't happen without a really big team," she said.
"This is the accumulation of six to eight months of work today."
Thomas said the painting aimed to show Bradman and Richie at the "peak of their powers post playing days".
He said he found head profile photos of the pair at an "appropriate age".
Bradman was an administrator of Australian cricket and Richie was a renowned cricket commentator.
Thomas used "manufactured bodies", including an image of his own, for the painting.
"I hope everyone finds it as natural and realistic as it's meant to be," he said.