Sir Donald Bradman 304-run Ashes bat to be lost from public view after Bowral museum auction

There are fears that one of Don Bradman’s most successful blades is about to become inaccessible to fans. But in better news, there are also plans afoot to ensure the situation is never repeated.

A prized Sir Donald Bradman triple-century bat is expected to disappear from public view following an auction starting Wednesday.

While the situation has been described as “disappointing” and “unfortunate”, it can be revealed that the SCG Trust is establishing a charity to raise tax-deductible funds from cricket fans to ensure this is the last time a national treasure ends up hidden away.

Trust chairman Tony Shepherd has been working on the plan for several months, but it won’t be finalised in time to secure the wicked willow the Don used to score 304 at Headingley on the famed 1934 Ashes tour of England.

That blade will be auctioned tomorrow — day one of the latest Ashes series — with expectations it will fetch as much as $300,000.

The signed triple century bat will be auctioned off at the Bradman Museum on Wednesday, December 8.

Sir Don Bradman's triple century bat, which he signed and inscribed with a description of his achievements using the bat.

It has been on display at the Bradman Museum since the 1990s under a loan arrangement with its private owner, who is now selling for “financial reasons”, according to auctioneer Pickles’ executive manager Gavin Dempsey.

Museum executive director Rina Hore said it was “probably not likely” the bat would remain accessible to the public at Bowral after the hammer falls.

Ms Hore described the situation as “unfortunate”, given it was what she considered to be one of the five most important items of sporting memorabilia in Australia.

The SCG Trust’s Mr Shepherd said he “would be disappointed if it wasn’t on display in perpetuity.”

The Trust currently did not have the cash “or the remit” to purchase a bat such as the one going up for sale.

But that would change in future auctions, once the charitable foundation was established.

Don Bradman and Bill Ponsford resume batting during the fifth test, England v Australia in England in 1934 where they scored a record second-wicket partnership of 451 runs.

The foundation would allow people to “donate to protect these types of treasures,” Mr Shepherd said.

“I’m sure people would be happy to donate to such a good cause” and to have a sense of ownership.

Donations would be tax deductible, Mr Shepherd said.

The foundation would be connected to the SCG Trust, but officially independent, he added.

The auction of the Bradman bat will start at 3pm on Wednesday and run until next Monday, December 13.

The Don used it not only to amass the triple century at Leeds, but to compile 244 at The Oval in a 451-run stand with Bill Ponsford.

“This is a significant piece of Australian history,” Ms Hore said.

The sport’s leading light inscribed the back with a record of his achievements.

“This is the bat with which I scored 304 at Leeds and 244 at The Oval against England, 1934,” he wrote.

A statue of Sir Donald Bradman outside the Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame in Bowral. Picture: Wesley Lonergan

Pickles’ Mr Dempsey said the current owner was ready to sell the rare item for financial benefit after seeing the interest in other sporting memorabilia.

“It’s come to the end of holding on to the bat and they want to sell it for financial reasons,” he said.

Ms Hore said: “It’s a shame it’s being sold.”