Australia’s leading wicket-taker Shane Warne has announced that he would be auctioning off his ‘baggy green’ cap to raise funds for the Bushfire appeal, aiding those affected by the devastating fire in large parts of the country.
The ‘baggy green’ is a cricket cap which has been worn by Australian Test cricketers. This cap is considered to be a national pride in Australia.
The cap is expected to fetch 500,000 Australian dollars.
After bidding began on Monday, the top bid reached up to 275,000 Aussie dollars in just two hours. The demands have been so high that the website got crashed with bids coming almost every minute.
“The horrific bushfires in Australia have left us all in disbelief. The impact these devastating fires are having on so many people is unthinkable and has touched us all. Lives have been lost, homes have been destroyed, and over 500 million animals have died too,” Warne said on Instagram.
“Everyone is in this together, and we continue to find ways to contribute and help on a daily basis. This has lead me to auction of my beloved baggy green cap (350) that I wore throughout my test career (when I wasn’t wearing my white floppy hat). I hope my baggy green can raise some significant funds to help all those people that are in desperate need. Please go to the link in my bio and make a bid & help me to donate a big cheque ! Thankyou so much #australianbushfires,” added Warne.
The Aussie leg-spinner also shared a link of the website on Twitter and simply wrote, “Please bid here.”
Please bid here https://t.co/kZMhGkmcxs pic.twitter.com/ZhpeWQxqY7
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) January 6, 2020
Former South African skipper AB de Villiers took to Twitter and called Warne’s attempt to aid affected people as ‘Special Stuff.’
Special stuff! https://t.co/7VJgk4CsGo
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) January 6, 2020
Apart from De Villiers, former English cricketers Michael Vaughan, Darren Gough, and Isa Guha reacted to Warne’s incredible gesture.
This is incredible .. My bid is 25k Aussie Dollars .. 👍 https://t.co/ByOkzJDkGO
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 6, 2020
Well done warnie x https://t.co/Ec9FPcdUuZ
— Darren Gough MBE (@DGoughie) January 6, 2020
Up to 275k AUD already. Please get bidding 👇👇👇 all money goes to the bushfire appeal. #baggygreen #708 #testcapno350 https://t.co/rpwHaNPzd0
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) January 6, 2020
Sri Lanka’s former captain Mahela Jayawardena responded to Warne’s tweet as well. He wrote, “Amazing mate.”
Amazing mate 👍 https://t.co/pPeHK0WTdc
— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) January 6, 2020
The vast fires have so far claimed 24 lives and destroyed more than 1,800 homes. The horrific incident has also attracted the attention of few modern cricketers like Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, and D’Arcy Short, who have pledged to donate $250 for every six they smash during the ongoing Big Bash League Twenty20 tournament.
