A cap worn by Australia's cricket legend Sir Don Bradman is set to be auctioned in Sydney on Tuesday, with experts predicting it could fetch up to US$260,000.
The famed woolen “baggy green,” worn by Bradman during India’s historic 1947-48 tour of Australia, will be sold by the Bonhams auction house.
This cap is believed to be the only known "baggy green" worn by Bradman during one of his most remarkable series, in which he amassed 715 runs in just six innings at an astonishing average of 178.75, including three centuries and a double century.
The 1947-48 series marked a significant moment in cricket history, as it was India’s first-ever tour of Australia following its independence.
Despite the cap showing considerable signs of wear—including fading, insect damage, and a torn peak—the auction house expects it to reach between US$195,000 and US$260,000 due to its historical significance.
Australia's Test cricketers are awarded these coveted caps, which have become symbols of the country's cricketing heritage, revered by both players and fans alike.
Bradman, who retired with a Test batting average of 99.94—still the highest in the history of the game—is widely regarded as the greatest cricketer to have ever graced the sport. Wisden, the leading cricket authority, described him as the finest to ever play the game.
This auction follows the record-breaking sale of a different "baggy green" worn by Bradman during his Test debut in 1928, which fetched US$290,000 in 2020. That price, however, pales in comparison to the US$650,000 paid for the cap worn by spin legend Shane Warne, which was sold to aid Australian bushfire victims in 2020.
Bradman passed away in 2001 at the age of 92, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape the world of cricket. Warne, who died in 2022, was another icon of the sport whose cap commanded a high price.
