Bradman’s 1946 Baggy Green cap bought for Tk3.48 crore by National Museum
According to ESPNcricinfo, it is believed that 11 of Bradman’s Baggy Green caps still exist. This cap is one of them. Another is held at the Australian Sports Museum, while the remaining nine are in private collections.
Sir Donald Bradman's iconic Baggy Green cap from the 1946–47 Ashes series has been purchased by Australia's National Museum for nearly $286,700 (equivalent to AUD 438,500). In Bangladeshi currency, the cap is worth approximately 34.85 million taka.
Under Bradman's captaincy, Australia won that five-match home Test series against England 3–0. According to the official website of the Australian Government's Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, the legendary green Test cap is now on display in a special gallery at the National Museum in Canberra. This gallery is dedicated to the history of Australian sport and also houses several other memorabilia related to Bradman.
In that first post-World War II Test series against England, Bradman scored the most runs—680—in eight innings at an average of 97.14. Half of the amount paid for the cap came from the Federal Government. Australia's Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the cap would be preserved as an important part of the nation's history for future generations: "It's hard to find an Australian who hasn't heard of Donald Bradman. He is arguably the greatest cricketer of all time."
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Burke added, "The fact that one of his iconic Baggy Greens is now part of the National Museum of Australia means visitors can connect more closely with our sporting and cultural history."
According to ESPNcricinfo, it is believed that 11 of Bradman's Baggy Green caps still exist. This cap is one of them. Another is held at the Australian Sports Museum, while the remaining nine are in private collections.
Catherine McMahon, director of the National Museum of Australia, welcomed the acquisition of the cap, saying: "Sir Donald's Baggy Green is a reflection of the era and a symbol of the most renowned Australian batsman's legacy. After the heartbreak of the Second World War, sporting heroes like Bradman gave Australians hope. We are delighted that this national treasure has found its home at the National Museum of Australia for all Australians to appreciate."
This past Wednesday marked Bradman's 117th birthday. From 1928 to 1948, he played 52 Tests for Australia, scoring 6,996 runs in 80 innings. He notched up 29 centuries and 13 fifties, with an astonishing career batting average of 99.94.
According to the National Museum's website, during the 1946–47 Ashes series (in which he didn't play), Australian wicketkeeper Ron Saggers received the cap from Bradman. He later passed it on to a teammate, who eventually gave it to an amateur Australian collector. That collector sold it in 2003 to a private individual, from whom the National Museum later purchased the cap.
