Bradman 'baggy green' cap won during 1946-47 Ashes sells for $287,000

A “baggy green” Test cap once worn by Australian cricketing legend Sir Donald Bradman has been acquired by the National Museum of Australia for Aus$438,550 (US$287,000). The museum hailed the purchase as securing an “iconic slice of history” for the nation.

Bradman, who remains the most celebrated batsman in cricket history with a staggering Test average of 99.94, wore the cap during England’s 1946–47 Ashes tour of Australia. That series, the first contested between the two sides after World War II, carried immense symbolic weight for a country emerging from years of conflict.

National Museum director Katherine McMahon said the cap represented more than sporting achievement. “With cricket far from people’s minds during the war, the Test series offered Australians hope and optimism,” she explained. “Sir Donald’s baggy green reflects both the brilliance of our greatest cricketer and the resilience of a nation looking to move forward after hardship.”

The cap, purchased from a private owner, is among only 11 known Bradman caps still in existence. A different one, worn during India’s 1947–48 tour of Australia—his final Test series on home soil—sold last year for US$250,000.

Baggy green caps hold immense cultural and emotional value in Australia. Awarded to cricketers when they make their Test debut, the dark green woollen headgear is revered by players and fans alike, embodying both national pride and cricketing tradition.

Arts Minister Tony Burke said the acquisition ensured the preservation of a vital piece of sporting heritage. “You’d be hard-pressed to find an Australian who hasn’t heard of Donald Bradman, arguably the greatest cricketer of all time,” he noted. “Having one of his iconic baggy greens in the National Museum means Australians and visitors alike can connect with our shared sporting and cultural story.”

The cap will now join the National Historical Collection in Canberra, where it will sit alongside other prized Bradman memorabilia, including an autographed bat used in the first Test at Trent Bridge during the 1934 Ashes series.

Bradman, described by cricket authority Wisden as the greatest player ever to grace the game, retired in 1948 and lived quietly until his death in 2001 at age 92. More than two decades later, his name continues to inspire, and the acquisition of his cap ensures that future generations can share in the legacy of “The Don.”