Sir Don Bradman’s Baggy Green is SOLD at auction for a huge price – as cricket’s ‘holy grail’ is set to return to Australia
A Plentiful Green hat belonging to Sir Donald Bradman will remain in Australia and be displayed in a museum after being sold at auction on Monday.
Lloyds Auctions has confirmed that the Australian cricket legend’s cap was purchased by an anonymous bidder for a staggering $460,000.
The ‘Australian Treasure’ was worn by the iconic batsman during Australia’s 1947-48 Test series against India.
While some of Bradman’s Baggy Greens have appeared for sale in the past, this particular cap holds great significance given that it was worn by the Australian during his final Test series on home soil before retiring from Test cricket in 1948 at the age of 40.
This was also India’s first Test series since India gained independence in August 1947. Bradman would go on to claim the title of highest run-scorer of the series, amassing 715 runs.
During the series, Bradman came across young Indian bowler Sriranga Wasudev Sohoni. At one point during the series, the Australian player had gone to the Indian team’s dressing rooms and gifted Sohoni the Baggy Green.
Sir Donald Bradman’s Loose Green hat sold at auction for $460,000
Bradman gifted the baggy green to Sriranga Wasudev Sohoni during India’s first Test since independence in 1947 – his family later stored the cover in a glass cabinet for safekeeping
The lid has been kept locked in Sohoni’s house in Mumbai for 75 years.
Sohoni’s family handed over the beloved collector’s item to the former Indian star’s grandson.
The hat was never publicly displayed until it toured Australia before going under the hammer.
The auction took place on the Gold Coast on Monday and the cap has been dubbed the ‘holy grail of cricket’.
The successful bidder preferred to remain anonymous.
Lloyds Auctions Chief Operating Officer Lee Hames said it was ‘appropriate’ for the hat to remain in Australia.
‘This is a genuine piece of Australian cricket history, personally gifted by Sir Donald Bradman and preserved by the same family for over 75 years,’ Mr Hames said.
It is in extraordinary condition, coupled with the ‘Bradman’s status as a national icon, which makes it extraordinarily rare for such an item to enter the public domain.
Lloyds confirmed the sale on Monday and the hat will now be placed in a public museum
‘It is an appropriate outcome that it remains in Australia and is displayed publicly.’
Bradman is regarded as one of the best players to ever play cricket.
He amassed 6,996 runs in 52 Test matches for Australia at an average of 99.94.
Another of Bradman’s Baggy Green caps from the 1947-48 home Test series against India went on sale in December 2024. Bought at auction for $390,000, auctioneers later added the buyer’s premium, bringing the sale price to $479,700.
