A rare baggy green cap worn by cricket icon Sir Donald Bradman during the 1946–47 Ashes has been bought by the National Museum of Australia for AU$438,500 (US$286,700). Half of the amount was covered by federal funding.
Bradman led Australia in that post-war Ashes, which his side won 3–0, paving the way for the legendary unbeaten “Invincibles” tour of 1948.
Arts Minister Tony Burke called the purchase a piece of cultural history, saying Bradman remains “arguably the greatest cricketer of all time.”
The cap is one of just 11 known Bradman baggy greens. While one is on show at the Australian Sports Museum, most others remain in private collections.
Museum director Katherine McMahon said the acquisition symbolizes hope and resilience in the years after World War II. The cap is now displayed in the museum’s Landmarks gallery alongside other Bradman memorabilia.
