It is an emotional time for Australia's cricketers. So much so, that captain Ricky Ponting is ready to forsake the modernisms of the game to wear the old. Literally.

Ponting, who will deliver the Bradman Oration today, will sport a blazer first won by Sir Donald Bradman in 1930.
On the occasion of Bradman's birth centenary, there are a plethora of celebrations lined up Down Under. Ponting's attempt will be one of many tributes to the man, who many consider the greatest batsman the game has seen.

Trail-blazer

Ponting's predecessors Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh had been using green jackets with prominent yellow pinstripes but Bardman's blazer was green and had yellow accents in the lining and also around the wrists.
 
Ponting's tribute, however, has a few knickknacks that weren't seen in Bradman's era. Under the breast pocket, Ponting has a 42 stitched in to denote his captain's number. And unlike Bradman's classic blazer, it doesn't sport any side pockets.
 
The Australian captain was working on his speech yesterday. Ponting wants to take this opportunity to say what an honour he was bestowed with when asked to play for Australia. He will also dwell on his thoughts of taking the game forward, while maintaining the Aussie traditions.

"This is a game that Bradman played and we are also playing. But if you look at his dominance and his statistics, it is remarkable. Some of his achievements can be compared to winning an Olympic gold medal," Ponting said.

Ponting will also touch on the subject of his first meeting with Bradman. The current captain was 15 at the time and was visiting the Cricket Academy of Australia.

"Nobody was talking. Everybody was listening to him. He was speaking in a soft voice yet everyone was engrossed. That was the aura of Bradman, that they were all listening to," Ponting added.