Bowral, New South Wales, is home to Bradman Oval, a significant site for Australian cricket fans, located near the childhood residences of Sir Don Bradman. This location is a pilgrimage stop for many.
Cricket remains a dominant summer pastime and subject of conversation across Australia. This is observed in various settings, including parks, pubs, backyards, and even beaches, where impromptu games are common. Major Test grounds in Australia are typically publicly owned by state-appointed trusts, government agencies, or by the people, as exemplified by the Adelaide Oval.
Media coverage reflects this public engagement; Channel 7, the terrestrial broadcaster, made the Ashes series available on demand. The Big Bash League, which coincides with the international summer, generates a festival atmosphere and contributes to high attendance figures, with recent new year's matches at the MCG and Optus stadium drawing over 105,000 spectators.
This public embrace of cricket in Australia is contrasted with the privatization trends observed in English cricket, which has seen the game move behind paywalls, disappear from state schools, and adopt dynamic ticket pricing.
Cricket's history and heroes are celebrated in dedicated institutions. The Bradman Museum in Bowral, which includes Bradman Oval, features exhibits on the sport, including a permanent display on women's cricket and a female hall of fame. Similarly, the Johnny Mullagh Interpretive Centre in Victoria commemorates local sporting hero Johnny Mullagh. Both facilities are largely staffed by volunteers and attract numerous visitors.