Warne Worn tells the story of how the Baggy Green cap – an enduring symbol of the Australian spirit – became a rallying point for the country’s response to the devastating ‘Black Summer’ bushfires of 2019/20. Among many fundraising initiatives and acts of generosity around the country, Shane Warne’s donation of his original Baggy Green for auction captured the imagination worldwide; eventually fetching a record of more than $1 million that was donated to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal. The successful bidder was the Commonwealth Bank, which soon after established a national tour to give the public a rare opportunity to see the iconic headwear up-close, raising further money for local communities hit hardest by bushfires and drought. Warne’s cap visited New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland and Victoria – including ‘The Big Appeal’ charity match at the Junction Oval, and the landmark ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Final at the MCG – before the tour was abruptly paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its final destination will be the Bradman Museum in Bowral, NSW, where Baggy Green no. 350 will sit among 21 others worn by the likes of Don Bradman, Adam Gilchrist and Belinda Clark. Warne Worn documents events of early 2020, from crisis to international response. The tale behind Warne’s donation, and the high-stakes bidding that ensued, will be revealed; before the book reflects on the leg-spinner’s decorated and eventful Test career in images and anecdotes. It then traces the CommBank Baggy Green Tour over its journey to Bowral, with stories of loss and hope from ravaged communities, and gestures of solidarity and generosity from around the country. The final section covers the Bradman Museum’s ‘Baggy Green Team’, featuring career summaries of each player who wore a Test cap on display at the Museum; with concluding reflections on the enduring virtues – Australian spirit, resilience, mateship and inspiration – embedded in the fabric of a unique piece of sporting apparel. The project is an opportunity for the Foundation to raise money in support of aligned causes related to the bushfires (e.g. affected cricket clubs, communities in the Southern Highlands / regional NSW etc).
