7 November 2006
A baggy green cap worn by Greg Chappell as captain of the Australian cricket team and wicket keeper Wally Grout's record eight-catch ball are highlights of a new cricket collection being unveiled at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra tomorrow.
The collection — which also includes Rod Marsh's wicket keeping gloves and spin bowler Bill O'Reilly's blazer — has been acquired from cricket supporter Swan Richards.
'As Australia gears up for another Ashes series, the National Museum is delighted to receive this collection of cricketing treasures, which covers more than five decades of the game,' National Museum director Craddock Morton said.
Mr Richards is a cricket administrator and businessman who established the developmental Crusaders cricketing organisation and received the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 for services to the game.
Media are invited to join National Museum director Craddock Morton and Swan Richards at the unveiling of the new cricket collection in the Sport exhibition at the National Museum at 11am tomorrow, Wednesday, 8 November.
The collection which comes to the National Museum comprises:
The baggy green cap worn by Greg Chappell as captain during the 1982-83 series against England; and a cricket bat used and signed by Chappell in 1980.
Rod Marsh's one-day cap, labelled "Bacchus" on the inside; and a pair of Marsh's wicket keeping gloves used in 1980.
A pair of Wally Grout's wicket keeping gloves and the mounted ball from the 1960 game when he scooped the first-class record for eight catches in an innings when Queensland played Western Australia.
Spin bowler Bill 'Tiger' O'Reilly's New South Wales team blazer.
For more information please contact Dennis Grant on 02 6208 5351, 0409 916 481 or Leanda Kitchen on 02 6208 5338, 0438 620 710 or email media@nma.gov.au