CRICKET’S BIG CASH HITS
The ball from a top cricket match can fetch thousands – but Sir Don Bradman’s cap scores even higher in the memorabilia test at £175,000
the nail-biting finish in last week’s World Twenty20 final, deflated English cricket fans will turn their attention once again to county cricket.
The first ball of the County Championships will be bowled today – and cricket enthusiasts can share their passion for the game by investing in related memorabilia.
It is the early history of cricket that most captures collectors’ imagination.
The Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, considered the sport’s bible, has been recording the scorecards of first class cricket matches since 1864 and can prove a valuable investment.
Investors will pay as much as £20,000 for the first Almanack printed in hardback that came out in 1896. The 1916 edition in hardback can go for as much as £6,000 – as the rare book featured the obituary of the ‘father of cricket’ WG Grace, as well as cricketers killed in the First World War.
Tim Knight, owner of Norwich-based sports auctioneer Knights, says: ‘Wisden Almanacks are sought after by cricket fans – but condition and date of edition is everything. Although a good condi- tion hardback from 1916 can fetch thousands of pounds, later editions are more affordable. A pristine 1948 hardback can command £250 – but only £10 if in poor condition.’
The value of Wisden hardbacks published before the Second World War has risen on average by 10 cent a year over the past three decades – while paperbacks have grown by 4 per cent a year.
The Ashes is a sporting clash that excites English cricket fans more than any other – and related collectables can prove financially rewarding. England has been battling it out on the cricket field against Australia since 1877 but the first formal Ashes tour was not until 1882.
To date 69 Test series have been played between the two teams – both have won 32 while five have been drawn. The Ashes was born in 1882 when England lost on home soil for the first time. The Sporting Times newspaper wrote an obituary at the time: ‘The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia.’
England captain Ivo Bligh was then presented with a tiny urn when England won the return Test match series in Australia in late 1882 and early 1883. The terracotta urn contains the ashes of a pair of bails and is displayed at Marylebone Cricket Club in London. Knight says: ‘The so-called Bodyline tour of 1932 and 1933 in Australia is the most infamous Ashes tour.
‘To combat the extraordinary batting skill of Sir Don Bradman the English bowled towards the body on the line of the leg stump. It was seen as unsporting in this most gentlemanly of pursuits – and led to ill feeling between the two teams.’
Next month, Knights will be selling an Australian ‘baggy green’ cricket cap worn by Victor York Richardson with an estimate of £15,000. Richardson was vice-captain in the Bodyline series and rated the best fielder in the world.
Knight says: ‘Modern collectables relating to The Ashes can also prove astute investments. The bat used by Ian Botham to score 149 not out in the famous Headingly Test of 1981 – helping England win against overwhelming odds – sold for £12,000 more than a couple of decades ago. But if it were to go on the market today it would fetch treble this price.’
Anything related to legendary cricketers is sought after – espe-FOLLOWING cially Australian Donald Bradman and England favourites Fred Truman and Denis Compton.
Dan Wade of trading website Just-Collecting says: ‘If you are looking to invest in cricketing items, your first consideration should be Don Bradman. He is regarded the finest batsman of any era, so related memorabilia sells for thousands of pounds.
‘For example, the bat he used when playing his first ever Test match – the Ashes series of 1928 – sold for £66,000 when it was auctioned in 2008. Any bat he used to play a cricket match is likely to fetch more than £4,000.’