CANBERRA: A rare piece of cricketing history, the baggy green cap worn by Sir Donald Bradman, known as “The Don,” during the 1946-47 Ashes, has been acquired by the National Museum of Australia for AU$438,500 (US$286,700).
Half of the purchase was funded by the federal government, ensuring the cap remains accessible to the public.
Bradman donned it while leading Australia in their first Ashes series against England after World War II, a campaign the hosts dominated 3-0 before embarking on the unbeaten “Invincibles” tour of 1948.
Arts Minister Tony Burke hailed the acquisition as a cultural milestone.
“You’d be hard-pressed to find an Australian who hasn’t heard of Don Bradman, arguably the greatest cricketer of all time. Now, visitors can connect with that history firsthand,” he said.
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The cap is one of just 11 Bradman baggy greens known to exist. One is held by the Australian Sports Museum, while the others are in private collections.
National Museum director Katherine McMahon said the addition is more than just sporting memorabilia.
“Bradman’s baggy green reflects a time when sporting heroes lifted Australians from the hardships of war. We’re thrilled to preserve this treasure for the nation,” she noted.
The historic cap is now on display in the museum’s newly opened Landmarks gallery, alongside other Bradman memorabilia, celebrating moments that shaped Australia’s sporting and cultural identity.
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