Sydney - A 'baggy green' Australian Test cricket cap worn by Sir Donald Bradman, the game's greatest-ever batsman, was sold as a single star lot to an Australian bidder in the room for AU$479,700 (£245,440) at Bonhams Sydney on 3 December. The estimate was AU$300,000 – 400,000.

Bradman wore the cap in the 1947-48, Home Test series against India, during which he became the only Australian at the time to score 100, first-class centuries. Any baggy green is a resonating symbol of the game's heritage and tradition for both Australians and followers of cricket throughout the globe. Bradman's baggy green has the added lustre of belonging to someone whose sporting achievements warranted a state funeral following his death, aged 92 in 2001, a figure who was mourned nationally and internationally. Bradman averaged 99.4 runs per Test match innings, nearly 40 more than any other player in the history of the game.

The cap was on loan since 2010 to the Bradman Museum in the player's hometown of Bowral, Australia. At the end of the 1947-48 Indian tour, Bradman, who had coins and stamps issued in his honour and was described in 1997 by the then Prime Minister, John Howard, as our "greatest living Australian", gave the baggy green to the Indian Team tour manager, Pankaj, "Peter" Gupta, who passed it on to the Indian team's wicket keeper, PK Sen, the first Bengali to play for India. It was purchased by the previous owner in 2003.
The series, Bradman's last in Australia, was the first tour by India in Australia and began in October, just two months after independence.

Merryn Schriever, Managing Director, Bonhams Australia commented, "We are delighted with this result. Both the previews and the auction attracted significant interest from Bradman enthusiasts. The sale saw brisk and enthusiastic bidding both in the room and online, testimony the symbolism and heritage of this very special lot. The baggy green has been acquired by a private collector who will be retaining it in Australia."

Alex Clark, Senior Specialist, Melbourne, comments, "This very special baggy green has been part of cricket and sporting heritage for decades and has now found a new home. Worn by Sir Donald Bradman during the 1947-48 series against India in Australia, it holds both great significance and has an illustrious Indian cricketing provenance."