A cricket cap worn when Don Bradman, the game’s greatest ever batter, scored his 100th first-class century is expected to make over £200,000 at auction in Sydney next month.
Bradman wore the cap, an iconic part of Australian cricket kit known as the “baggy green”, during a 1947 – 48 home series against India.
During the series he became the first Australian to score is 100th, first-class century.
Widely considered to be the greatest batter to ever play cricket, Bradman is also an Australian national hero, who was accorded a state funeral in 2001.
His batting average was 99.94. He retired from the sport in 1948 with a scoreless final innings that denied him an average of 100 by a tiny margin.
Bradman in action in 1947.
The cap is being sold at Bonham’s Sydney on December 3.
It goes into the sale with an estimate of AUS$300,000 to AU$400,000 (around $200,000 to $260,000 or £150,000 to £200,000.
The sale coincides with the 75th anniversary of Bradman’s final test innings, that notorious duck at the Oval in South London.
Bonhams’ Alex Clark, senior specialist, Melbourne, said, “The baggy green has been part of cricket and sporting heritage for decades.
“One worn by Sir Donald Bradman during the 1947-48 series against India in Australia, holds both great significance and has an illustrious Indian cricketing provenance.
“This very special baggy green promises to have real appeal to followers of cricket and sport generally, and anyone with a keen interest in the history of sport.”
Bradman gifted the cap to the Indian side’s tour manager Pankaj Gupta. He gave it to PK Sen, the wicketkeeper.
The current owner bought it in 2003, and it has been on loan at the Bradman Birthplace Museum.
Bradman’s debut cap was sold in 2020.
Australian businessman Peter Freedman, who founded Rode Microphones, paid AU$450,000 (over £230,000) for the cap.
The most valuable baggy green, and most valuable item of cricket memorabilia is Shane Warne’s Test cap, bought for over AU$1 million, around £500,000 in 2020.
