Former Australian Test captain Kim Hughes has spent decades hoarding cricket treasures like a magpie with excellent taste – and now, he’s finally ready to let the public pick through his sporting attic.
Don Bradman memorabilia, vintage sweaters, and enough green and gold to upholster the MCG are all up for grabs.
Hughes admitted the idea of selling the goods has been simmering for a while.
Speaking on Nine’s Today, Hughes joked that the sheer quantity of memorabilia could fill enough rooms to justify its own museum gift shop.
“I’ve only got 24 hours to tell you how much I’ve got,” he said.
“I went into one of my storage rooms a fair while ago now, and it was just lots and lots of stuff. You know, bats that have been signed, photos and all sorts of things that you’ve collected in your travels and are just collecting dust.
“I’ve got them up for sale, and hopefully they’ll go to people that will put them up in an appropriate place and enjoy them.”
Among the highlights: framed Don Bradman signatures, including items tied to the famous 1948 “Invincibles” tour – cricket royalty for your hallway wall.
There’s also an autograph lineup featuring some of the sport’s most terrifying bowlers and most stylish boundary-hitters: Richard Hadlee, Ian Botham, Viv Richards, and Australia’s own Adam Gilchrist.
Asked whether parting with his cricketing children might sting, Hughes said sentiment doesn’t stand a chance against storage limitations.
“In a way, but put it this way, I think I’d be a lot more satisfied if I knew that they were still in the storage just gathering dust, and then no one sees them at all,” he said.
“I certainly don’t have enough money to build a huge house and then have it like a gallery-type scenario.
“But I think the thing that I get a buzz out of is that other people get the pleasure.”
Still, one sacred item is off the table: his beloved baggy green, which he has described as his “greatest ornament.” That one stays in the family – earmarked for his grandson, “who is very passionate about his cricket and shows a lot of promise,” he said.
The sale is happening online.
Hughes captained Australia in 28 Test matches between 1979 and 1984 – and yes, he also kept Western Australia in line along the way.
Images: Today
