SYDNEY, Aug 26: The Royal Australian Mint has launched a commemorative coin to mark the 100th anniversary of cricketing great Sir Donald Bradman’s birth.

The $5 coin features Bradman holding his bat aloft after scoring a century and was launched by the mint at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Tuesday.

Bradman played his final match at The Oval in 1963 after accepting an invitation from Prime Minister Robert Menzies to captain the first Prime Minister’s XI to play England.

Chief executive Janine Murphy said the mint was proud to release the collector coin which would also feature at the Sir Donald Bradman Centenary Dinner in Sydney tomorrow night.

”He is revered in sporting history, locally and internationally, as the greatest batsman of all time,” Ms Murphy said. “Bradman’s performance on and off the cricket field is a true inspiration to all sportsman.

”He played an important role in the development of the game and shaping this great nation.”

Cricket ACT chief executive Mark Vergano said the coin was a great contribution to continuing the legend of Australia’s greatest sporting hero.

The coin has been released in partnership with the Bradman Foundation. — Agencies