The bat used by Australian cricket legend Don Bradman to begin his Test career has been sold at auction in Melbourne for $60,000 - more than $20,000 below the expected price.
Bradman retired with a batting average of 99.94, the highest in Test history, and used the bat to start his career in the 1928 series against England.
He only managed to score 1 and 18 on debut and was dropped for the next game, but made his maiden century in the third match.
Auction house Mossgreen earlier said they expected the bat to sell for between $80,000 and $90,000.
The bat was signed by Bradman as "DGB", and features the signatures of 19 members of English and Australian teams, including Douglas Jardine and Harold Larwood, who also played in the 1932-33 Bodyline series.
In 1930, Bradman, who is seen by many as the best batsman of all time, donated it to the children's hospital in Sydney to help raise money.
It was owned by the boy who won the hospital's fundraising competition until 2008, when he sold it for $145,000.
It has been on display at the National Sports Museum at the Melbourne Cricket Ground ever since.
Max Williamson from Mossgreen Auctions said there was continued interest in Bradman memorabilia because of his iconic status.
"He's the world's greatest ever batsman. In other sports their champions' records have been broken, but Bradman's hasn't," Mr Williamson said.
"He's still up there as the number one batsman of all time."
The baggy green cap he wore at his final Test sold for more than $400,000 in 2008.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/23700358/don-bradmans-first-test-cricket-bat-sells-at-auction-for-60-000-in-melbourne/
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar