Don Bradman's iconic baggy green fetches whopping 438,500 Australian dollars

Sir Donald Bradman’s last baggy green cap, worn during the famous 1948 “Invincibles” Ashes tour of England, has sold for an incredible AUD 438,500. The cap has been secured by the National Museum of Australia in Canberra, which means this historic piece of cricket memorabilia will stay in the country and be open for public viewing.

Bradman is still remembered as the greatest cricketer of all time. The 1948 tour, where he captained Australia, went down in history because the team remained unbeaten in 34 matches, including the Ashes series against England. The cap from this tour is deeply symbolic, as it marked the end of Bradman’s international career, which lasted from 1928 to 1948.

Also Read: Sir Don Bradman's 'baggy green' cap gets auctioned for Rs 2.63 crore in Sydney

The auction saw intense bidding before the hammer fell at AUD 438,500 (around USD 289,000). This shows the continued fascination with Bradman’s life and career. To compare, Shane Warne’s baggy green, which he wore during the 1999 tour of England, sold in 2020 for a record AUD 1,007,500 to raise money for bushfire relief. While Bradman’s cap did not reach that figure, it remains one of the most valuable items of cricket history.

Bradman’s numbers in the game are unmatched even today. In just 52 Test matches, he scored 6,996 runs at an astonishing average of 99.94, with 29 centuries. These achievements made him more than a cricketer — he became a national icon at a time when Australia was recovering after the war.

Dr. Mathew Trinca, Director of the National Museum, said the purchase was about more than sport: “The baggy green is a symbol of Australian pride and excellence. Having Bradman’s final cap here will allow generations to connect with his incredible story.”

The cap will now be displayed permanently at the museum in Canberra. For cricket lovers, it offers a rare chance to see a piece of history linked directly to the man who changed the game forever.

Bradman’s baggy green may have fetched nearly half a million dollars, but for Australia, it is truly priceless.