Intensive search for iconic Aussie sports hero's lost baggy green
Amidst a nationwide frenzy, the iconic 'baggy green' of an Australian sports legend remains elusive, despite fervent pleas for its safe return by the Prime Minister, a top cricketer, and even the star's father, who suspects foul play
The baggy green cap, which is baggy and green, is still missing despite pleas for its safe return from the Australian prime minister, a top cricketer, and the star's father. The father believes it has likely been stolen by a "scumbag." The mystery of the missing cap began when David Warner, an Australia opening batsman, reached out on social media for help after the hat disappeared during transit on national carrier Qantas.
"Regrettably, I have no choice but to take this action," Warner stated in an Instagram video that has since gained widespread attention.
For those unfamiliar, a baggy green is a cap presented to Australian Test cricketers in a tradition that has endured for over a century.
The cap is not just an iconic symbol of the sport, but also holds great value. Before his passing in 2022, former Australia spinner Shane Warne sold his cap for over a million Australian dollars ($676,000). On Tuesday, a visibly upset Warner revealed that the cap, along with gifts for his daughters, had gone missing during transit from Melbourne to Sydney for the upcoming Test match against Pakistan.
The caps loss couldnt have come at a worse time - Warner had planned to wear it as he ran onto the Sydney Cricket Ground for the final Test match of his career.
Usman Khawaja during an Australian nets session the at the WACA on December 10, 2023 in Perth, Australia.
Paul Kane/Getty Images
Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja is set to challenge the ban on displaying a political message on his shoes during a Test match. "Someone has removed my backpack from my actual luggage... inside this backpack was my baggy green. That's sentimental to me. It's something that I would love to have back in my hands," Warner stated in an Instagram video.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood expressed the need for a nationwide search by the Australian government to find the missing bat belonging to Australian player David Warner. Masood emphasized the importance of retrieving the bat, stating that Warner deserves respect and recognition for his outstanding career and contribution to the sport.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese seemed to have taken notice as he opened his first news briefing of the year on Wednesday with a special mention of the cap, and an appeal for its return.
Albanese stated, "David Warner has represented Australia on more than one hundred occasions. The baggy green caps belong to him. He has earned them and they should be returned."
With the entire country seemingly holding its breath, Warner's father, Howard, confidently stated that it was just a matter of time before the cap resurfaces. In an interview with local radio, he declared, "Whoever has taken the baggy green will soon have to abandon it. They will eventually discard it somewhere."
Warner had to wear a replacement cap for his final Test outing on Wednesday, as his original hat had not been found. The left-hander retired from Test and one-day international cricket ahead of the Pakistan encounter, marking his 112th Test match for Australia.
Despite his on-field achievements, including his prominent role in Australia's World Cup victory last year, Warner is also seen as a polarizing figure due to his involvement in the 2018 "sandpaper-gate" ball-tampering scandal.
