MELBOURNE : Eric Hollies's small but critical part in cricket's history may make his England cap a high-priced item when it goes on sale in Melbourne later this month on August 16.

Hollies is famous for having bowled legendary Australian batsman Donald Bradman for a duck in his final Test innings at The Oval, London in 1948, denying him the four runs he needed to finish his career with a Test average in excess of 100.

Fateful googly

Australian schoolboys for generations have been able to recite the fact that Hollies's googly, which penetrated Bradman's defences, left the master batsman with the still incomparable average of 99.94.

Max Williamson, sports specialist for Melbourne auction house Charles Leski auctions, said the cap was expected to fetch between A$25,000 and 30,000.

Williamson said the cap was handed after the match to Australian opener Arthur Morris, who was at the non-striker's end when Bradman was bowled. The cap is accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Morris.

Hollies, who died in 1981, took 44 wickets in 13 Tests. — AP

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