Mike Brearley, former England captain will deliver the 11th Sir Donald Bradman Oration on Oct 23. This announcement was made by Cricket Australia (CA) on Tuesday. CA chief executive officer James Sutherland said the cricketing fraternity was delighted that Brearley had accepted the invitation to deliver the Oration.

Sutherland was speaking at the 105th birth anniversary of Bradman on Tuesday. Sir Donald George Bradman, AC popularly known as "The Don" was born on Aug 27, 1908 in Cootamundra, Australia.

An Australian cricketer, he is widely acknowledged as the greatest Test batsman of all time. Later year cricketers across the world find it gratifying to be compared to the "great Don".

The Bradman Oration was inaugurated in Aug 2000 to honour one of cricket's greatest legends. The first Oration was held six months before the batting legend died. The then Prime Minister John Howard presented the first oration. Bradman was unwell and unable to attend but sent a message about the game's ideals which was read by his son John on his behalf.

Subsequent orations have been presented by Sir Michael Parkinson, Richie Benaud, Alan Jones, General Peter Cosgrove, Greg Chappell, Ricky Ponting, Sir Tim Rice, Rahul Dravid and Gideon Haigh.

The Oration comprises a presentation and discussion on contemporary issues and challenges cricket faces, the direction the game is taking and on the importance of the "spirit of cricket".

"This year's oration falls between two consecutive Ashes series and I am delighted that the former Ashes captain and a lucid thinker on the game will be present," said Sutherland.

"Mike Brearley played first-class cricket for 22 years, was one of the game's most eminent captains and was later president of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). He has outstanding insights into both the modern game and its place in the world and also into the history, tradition and culture of cricket as a global sport."

Media reports said that 71-year-old Brearley was delighted and honoured to be asked to present this year's oration, particularly given the timing of two Ashes series.

"There is hardly any comparable rivalry in cricket with the elements of myth, of ancient colonial attitudes, and of matches fought with utter passion but also with fair-mindedness."

"Broadly, there are so many issues in cricket now - the future of Test cricket, T20 cricket and what it brings, the working of the Decision Review System, as well as inherent questions about sport's meaning and role in a fulfilled life, " he said.