Baggy greens aplenty in Mossgreen sporting auction

Given the massive interest in the recent Test series against India and the forthcoming World Cup, a collection of Australian Test “baggy green” caps will be major drawcards for auction goers at Mossgreen’s first auction for the year from 10am on Tuesday February 3 at 926-930 High Street, Armadale.

The baggy green caps belong to Sam Loxton, a member of Don Bradman’s 1948 “Invincibles” team that vanquished England, Terry Jenner and John Maclean.

A fiery medium-pace bowler and aggressive batsman, Loxton’s greatest moments for Australia was a vital 93 (including five sixes) at Leeds in 1948 and a steadying 101 against South Africa at Johannesburg in 1949-50.

So explosive was his temperament, once he hurled an over of eight bouncers at one of Australia’s great batsmen Norm O’Neill and, on debut for Victoria when he scored a record 232, hooked so hard he hit himself in the head.

Loxton’s baggy green is only the second belonging to a member of the Invincibles to come up for auction through Mossgreen.

An all rounder, Terry Jenner was particularly famous for his off-spin bowling but only played nine Tests for Australia over a four-year period – the first against England in 1970-71.

In the final match, Jenner was hit in the head by a John Snow bouncer that prompted an ugly crowd incident and led to English captain Ray Illingworth leading his men from the field.

In tandem with fellow off-spinner Ashley Mallett, for 10 seasons he was an important member of the South Australian side.

Jenner has coached many aspiring spinners at the AIS Cricket Academy in Adelaide – his most famous progeny being leg-spinning icon Shane Warne. 

John Maclean was a wicketkeeper and useful middle-order batsman who played the first four Tests against England in 1978-79 until injury forced him to retire from cricket.

The tragic death of Phillip Hughes, who played 25 Tests from 2009 until his untimely demise in November last year, is marked with the offering of a signed replica baggy green cap.

The auction contains an important collection of legendary Australian racehorse and sire Carbine – including the original purchase receipt dated January 7, 1887 from Durham Sale Yards.

Another area of significance for auction goers is the early Victorian Football League football cards, dating from 1905 and featuring popular players of the time including legendary Collingwood player and coach Jock McHale.