A cricket cap worn by Sir Donald Bradman has been bought by the National Museum of Australia in Canberra for almost half a million dollars.

The greatest batter in the history of the sport wore the cap during the 1946-47 Ashes series in Australia – the first to be played between Australia and England following World War II.

Bradman captained Australia in the five-Test series, and scored 680 runs at an average of 97.14 as the hosts won 3-0.

The federal government covered half of the $438,550 cost of the baggy green for the museum, with Arts Minister Tony Burke saying the purchase protected an important piece of Australian history.

“You’d be hard-pressed to meet an Australian that hasn’t heard of the great Donald Bradman, arguably the greatest cricketer of all time,” he said.

“Now to have one of his iconic baggy greens in the National Museum of Australia means visitors will have the opportunity to get up close and connect with our sporting and cultural history.”

The baggy green, which is one of 11 of Bradman’s known to still exist, will go on display at the museum in Canberra.

“Sir Donald’s baggy green marks the life of Australia’s most celebrated batsman and reflects a time when sporting heroes gave Australians hope, following the heartbreak and hardship of the Second World War,” director Katherine McMahon said.

“We are delighted this national treasure has found a home here at the National Museum of Australia for all Australians to enjoy.”

The cap will go into the Museum’s National History Collection as one of just 11 Bradman baggy greens known to still exist.