Don Bradman’s iconic triple-century bat up for auction

Sydney: The bat used by Donald Bradman, one of the greatest batsmen of all time, to score two triple-century knocks in the 1934 Ashes series is set to go under the hammer.

The willow has been on display at the Bradman Museum in Bowral in the NSW Southern Highlands since 1999, on loan from a private owner.

Bradman used the bat, which is part of Australian sporting history, in all five Test matches in England. The Australia's sporting idol scored 758 runs during the Ashes series.

The scores of triple-century - 304 at Headingley and 244 at the Oval - have been written on the willow by Bradman. Additionally, 'Don Bradman Private' has been inscribed on the bat, making it easier to differentiate his personal bats from those he signed.

"It's provenance is indisputable,' Rina Hore, the museum's Executive Director, was quoted as saying to abc.net.au.

"Sir Donald has actually written in his own handwriting the fact that he made those scores with this bat."

According to the report, there is no reserve price for the bat as another of Bradman's bats were sold at auction for $110,000 in 2018.

Bradman's record-breaking partnership of 451 runs with opener Bill Ponsford helped Australia to secure both the match and the series. The record stood as the highest Test partnership for more than 60 years and remains the highest partnership in an Ashes series.

Hore added that the bat is "invaluable", hoping that whoever purchases it makes it available for the public.

"I hope it remains in our museum. More importantly I hope it remains in those environmental conditions that ensure it remains forever," she said. (UNI)