A historic piece of cricket memorabilia has achieved a remarkable sale price at auction, with a Baggy Green cap once worn by the legendary Australian batsman Don Bradman fetching an impressive $460,000. The auction took place on the Gold Coast on Monday, setting a new record for a cap belonging to the celebrated sports icon.
Cap's Remarkable Journey and Preservation
The iconic cap was donned by Bradman during the 1947-48 series against India and was personally gifted to Indian cricketer Sriranga Wasudev Sohoni. For an astonishing 75 years, Sohoni's family meticulously preserved the treasured item, keeping it under strict conditions.
Lee Hames, chief operating officer of Lloyds Auctioneers and Valuers, provided insight into the cap's extraordinary history, stating: "It has been hidden for 75 years, that's over three generations under lock and key. If you were a family member you were only allowed to look at it when you were 16 years old for five minutes."
Condition and Inscriptions
The cap remains in good condition and features inscriptions of "D.G. Bradman" and "S.W. Sohoni" on the inside. This contrasts sharply with another Bradman cap that sold for $311,000 in 2024 despite being sun-faded and insect-damaged, highlighting the superior preservation of this particular item.
Destination and Public Display
Sold to an anonymous bidder, local media reports indicate the cap will be put on public display at an Australian museum, allowing cricket enthusiasts and the general public to view this significant piece of sporting history.
Bradman's Unparalleled Cricket Legacy
Don Bradman is widely regarded as the greatest Test batter of all time, having played 52 Tests with an unparalleled batting average of 99.94. This average remains almost 40 runs higher than any other player in history, cementing his status as a cricketing phenomenon.
His remarkable career achievements include:
- 29 Test centuries in total, with 19 of those coming in Ashes cricket against England
- 12 double centuries, a world record he still holds
- Famously requiring just four runs in his final innings to finish his career with an average above 100
However, Bradman was dismissed for a duck in his last innings at the Oval in 1948, falling just short of achieving a three-figure average. He passed away at the age of 92 in 2001, leaving behind an enduring legacy in the world of cricket.
The sale of this Baggy Green cap not only represents a significant financial transaction but also serves as a tangible connection to one of sport's most legendary figures, whose records and achievements continue to inspire generations of cricket fans worldwide.
