Shane Warne auctions off Baggy Green for bushfire appeal

Bidding for the great leg-spinner’s cap, which opened on Friday, has already passed the £160,000 mark

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Shane Warne has auctioned off the Baggy Green cap he wore throughout his Test career for Australia in an attempt to raise funds for the nationwide bushfire appeal.

At least 24 people have died since the fires began in September, while they have also ravaged communities and wildlife. The fires have been worsened by unusually hot temperatures.

Bidding for the great leg-spinner’s cap, which opened on Friday, has passed the £160,000 mark. It comes alongside a certificate autographed by Warne, who played 145 Tests for Australia.

“Everyone is in this together and we continue to find ways to contribute and help on a daily basis,” said Warne.

“This has led me to auction off my beloved baggy green cap that I wore throughout my Test career.

“I hope my Baggy Green can raise some significant funds to help all those people that are in desperate need.”

All funds raised by the sale will be given to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.

Don Bradman’s Baggy Green also fetched a huge price of £225,000 when auctioned in 2003, two years after the death of the iconic batsman.