“He’s the best thing that’s happened to the game for many years.” – Sir Donald Bradman on Shane Warne in 1995
On his fifty-second birthday, Shane Warne remains the undisputed king of spin, and one of the game’s finest players. For all of his exploits on the field, however, we are proud to share the story of one of his more generous off-field acts.
Arguably Australia’s most iconic player since Bradman himself, Shane Warne now has his Baggy Green on permanent display in the Bradman Museum, thanks to the generosity of both the great leg-spinner, and the Commonwealth Bank.
Warne's cap on display at the Museum (Photo credit: M&C Saatchi)
In light of the devastation of the Australian bushfires that ravaged the East Coast at the beginning of 2020, Warne offered his Baggy Green for auction, with all funds raised being donated to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal. The cap was bought by Commonwealth Bank of Australia for over $1 million.
Following the purchase, the Commonwealth Bank took the cap on a nationwide tour for six months, sharing the inspiring story of the cap – and the values it represents – to communities and cricket clubs around Australia. At the conclusion of the tour, they donated the cap to the Bradman Museum in Bowral, with the official handover taking place on 27th August 2020 – the 112th anniversary of Sir Donald’s birth.
Warne’s cap now headlines the History of the Baggy Green exhibition at the Bradman Museum. Comprised of Baggy Greens and Australian caps from all generations, it celebrates the pride, passion and patriotism of a nation and its favourite game.
Maurice Newman (Bradman Foundation Chairman) and Matt Comyn (Commonwealth Bank CEO) open the exhibition in August 2020
We thank Warne, CBA, M&C Saatchi and all of the players who have donated their caps for their help in making the Exhibition a success. It remains a powerful reminder of the strength and unity of the cricketing community, especially in recent difficult times.
For more information on the day and exhibition, click HERE
To read more about the Baggy Green, click HERE
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Cricket occupies a unique place in Australian sport. It was the first national game and remains so after more than a hundred years. It is a game whose national side significantly predates the Australian teams of all other major codes and even the Federation of the Australian colonies. The Australian Test cap is colloquially called the ‘baggy green’, a term which has sometimes been applied to the team and to cricket in Australia more generally.
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