I remember many a dashing innings from the likes of ACT cricket legends Peter Solway and Greg Irvine, Ken McLeod steaming in from the pool end, Ian Garrity taking a sharp catch at cover. (According to ACT Cricket statistician Adam Morehouse, Solway has scored the most runs on the oval, across all matches, with 2536.)

But alas, I was not at Manuka on February 6, 1963, when Don Bradman played his last international match. At 55, he captained the Prime Minister's XI against the touring Marleybone Cricket Club, having not played cricket for 14 years.

But now I can enjoy the memory, as the ACT Heritage Library has acquired four images from the day to add to their collection. There's Bradman and MCC captain Ted Dexter taking the toss; Bradman and Sam Loxton striding out onto the field; then Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies, Dexter and Bradman surveying the Bradman Pavilion which was officially opened that day.

"It occurred to us that we ought to have an appropriate name for this pavilion which is situated in Australia's capital city," Menzies said at the short opening.

"With the consent of Sir Donald Bradman we have named it after him - the most famous cricketer this country has ever produced."

The most poignant image is of Bradman walking through a gate on that still-familiar white picket fence for the very last time.

Antoinette Buchanan, assistant director Libraries ACT - ACT Heritage Library, said the images highlighted the intersection of Canberra as the capital city and as a community "where sport is played out on our local ovals with local people in attendance".

"Events like the Prime Minister's XI cricket match put Canberra on the international stage and that's what we're keen to document."

Buchanan said many Canberrans would remember the match, more than 10,000 people attended the game which was eventually won by the MCC. She says if anyone has photographs or memorabilia from the day the Heritage Library would love to see them. These photos can be viewed at library.act.gov.au/find/history

It was a star-studded match. The PM's team included Richie Benaud, Wally Grout, Neil Harvey and politician Don Chipp. The MCC boasted such names as Fred Trueman and Colin Cowdrey. Graeme Smith was the local representative, he took 3-61, including the wicket of MCC captain Ted Dexter.

Bradman walked to the crease to a standing ovation, hit a boundary and was then bowled without further score. Later that night, at a reception at the Lodge, Bradman reportedly said, "I have just played my last game of cricket, the cricket bat has seen the last of me."

Ahead of December 28's Big Bash match between the Sydney Thunder and the Perth Scorchers at Manuka Oval, we can only reflect on how much the game has changed.

Everyone knows cricket statistics are a rabbit hole. One this little bunny is happy to fall into. Which international player has scored the most runs there? Aaron Finch, with 400 runs from five ODIs and two T20s. And with the ball? Mitchell Starc likes the Manuka wicket. Who can forget his match figures of 10/100 against Sri Lanka in the Test Match in 2019. Add in seven ODI wickets and it's a pretty good effort. As for the best local performance? I'm waiting to hear from you.

While we're on the subject of Manuka Oval who can remember all the non-sport related things which have taken place there over the years? While boxing, wrestling and tennis are some of the more obscure sports, it's hosted sheepdog trials and military parades. In 1954 16,000 school children gathered in the rain to see Queen Elizabeth II on her first Australian visit. In 1959, 10,000 Canberrans prayed alongside evangelist Billy Graham.

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