Former Killara local Stirling Mortlock is one of Australia’s most admired sportsmen.

The other was an Australian great who is maybe best remembered as the victim of a ball to his head during the 1932-33 Bodyline series against England.

Aside from both being Australian sporting icons, they share a common bond — both having called the same historic house in Killara on Sydney’s north shore ‘home’.

Poitiers, at 66 Springdale Rd, was owned by the late cricketer Bert Oldfield and his wife Ruth for 47 years, before they sold it to the current owners John and Patricia Mortlock, the parents of former Australian Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock.

Wicketkeeper Bert Oldfield struck in the head at Adelaide Oval.Source:News Corp Australia

The home has just hit the market with a price guide of $4.9 million to $5.3 million.

The Oldfields, who were the third owners of the home, bought it from Sydney socialite Paul Dekyvere on May 22, 1931.

They had two daughters who grew up in the home.

Oldfield was a regular for NSW and the Australian cricket teams and played alongside one of the world’s best ever cricketers — Sir Donald Bradman.

One of the most talked-about moments in the wicketkeeper’s sporting career happened in the Adelaide Test of 1933, when Oldfield was struck in the head by a fastball from English fast bowler Harold Larwood.

Bert Oldfield.Source:News Corp Australia

Stirling Mortlock.Source:News Limited

Though he received a fractured skull, he quickly took the blame for the incident saying he should have ducked quicker.

He was that type of guy.

Oldfield never met one of the following residents of the home, but he would have no doubt have approved of Stirling Mortlock.

Home is where the sporting greats live.Source:Supplied

66 Springdale Rd, KillaraSource:Supplied

Home to Oldfield and Mortlock.Source:Supplied

The Mortlock family purchased Poitiers from the Oldfield family in July 1976 for $127,000, but as Bert Oldfield died in August that year settlement didn’t take place until May the following year — the month Stirling Mortlock was born.

Mortlock had a flair for Rugby from a young age, and aged four he was already running around at Lindfield Rugby Club.

The former Wallabies captain became a star of the area, and continues to hold strong ties with local club Gordon.

The former Wallabies captain training in Brisbane.Source:News Limited

The home of these two Aussie greats is now on the market, and Curran Property’s Glenn Curran, who holds the listing, said the property was well-recognised within the local community for its heritage and character.

“Poitiers is a true icon of the north shore, one that many locals past and present have walked or driven by and admired for years,” he said.

“This majestical home retains original period features with rich timbers and soaring ceilings and will provide its next owner significant opportunity to update and enhance the property.”

Originally published as Home to sporting royalty since 1931