One of cricket’s most iconic artifacts, a baggy green cap worn by Sir Donald Bradman, has been acquired by the National Museum of Australia for a remarkable $438,550. This acquisition highlights Bradman’s enduring legacy in Australian sports history. The cap was worn during the 1946–47 Ashes series, the first Test matches between Australia and England following World War II, a period symbolizing hope and resilience for the nation.
The significance of this specific series was aptly captured by Susan Templeman, the federal government’s special envoy for the arts. She remarked, “This particular Ashes series is a mark of how we were resilient and able to bring back the things that we as Australians really valued and loved.” Bradman, who served in World War II, returned to the sport despite enduring health challenges, solidifying his position as one of Australia’s most celebrated athletes.
Historic Cap on Display
Now part of the museum’s Landmarks gallery in Canberra, the cap is one of only 11 known to exist. Museum curator Martha Sear revealed that Bradman initially gave the cap away to wicketkeeper Ron Saggers at the end of the season. “Then it ended up in the private hands of someone who asked, ‘Oh, has anyone got an Australian cricket hat?’ And Saggers said, ‘Oh, here’s one I’ve got,'” she explained.
The National Museum obtained the cap through a combination of private ownership and a federal government grant aimed at supporting cultural institutions in acquiring significant heritage items. Dr. Sear described the cap’s condition upon acquisition as authentic, stating, “I had the pleasure of holding it with some white gloves when we first took a look at it… it’s got some sweat stains inside.” She highlighted the cap’s worn appearance, which reflects its storied history.
A Symbol of National Pride
Bradman’s remarkable Test batting average of 99.94 remains unparalleled in cricket history. The museum’s director, Katherine McMahon, expressed enthusiasm over the acquisition, stating, “Something like the baggy green reminds us not only of pride, but teamwork, and how a nation can come together — particularly this one, because it was after a very dark period after World War II.”
The baggy green will be displayed alongside other notable Bradman memorabilia, including an autographed bat from the 1934 Ashes series and the ball bowled by First Nations cricketer Eddie Gilbert, which famously dismissed Bradman for a duck in 1931.
The acquisition of this cap underscores not only Bradman’s significance in Australian cricket but also the cultural importance of sporting artifacts in representing the nation’s history and identity. As visitors to the National Museum engage with this piece of heritage, they are reminded of the resilience and spirit that Bradman embodied during a pivotal time in Australian history.
