Record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought fuelled a series of massive bushfires across Australia.
The fires which are burning since September, have intensified over the past week.
Now making a contribution from his end, Australian cricket legend Shane Warne has made his Baggy Green cap available for auction.
Whatever funds acquired will be given to the Bushfire Appeal aiding those affected by the devastating fires across Australia.
The baggy green is a prized possession for any Test cricketer and the 'King of Spin' is putting it up for auction.
The cap is expected to fetch a huge amount and the top bid was already into six figures just over an hour after bidding began. The auction website is even said to be experiencing problems due to high demand.
The cap comes with an autographed certificate of authenticity from Warne and 100 per cent of proceeds from the online auction will be donated to the Bushfire Appeal.
“The bushfires have been absolutely horrific, and they’ve touched all of us in a way, we’ve seen the total devastation,” Warne said on Fox Cricket.
“Lives have been lost, families have been lost, and over 500 million wildlife has died. The stories are horrific.
“I’ve decided how I can help, and the baggy green cap that I wore through my 145-Test career... I liked to wear my white floppy hat a lot, but I always wore this on the first session of a bowling day every single time, and I’ve had that cap for my whole career and I’ve got it at home.
“I’ve decided to put it up for auction, and however much money is raised, hopefully, it’s a significant amount of funds I’ll donate to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal.”
Warne said that donating his beloved cap was the “least I can do”.
“Hopefully some cricket lovers around the world, or someone who would’ve liked a baggy green cap, or likes to think that my one would be worth having on their mantlepiece, or wear it in backyard cricket, that someone around the world or here in Australia would like to donate,” he said.
“To give my cap away to someone that could wear it or have it, and just be proud of having it, it’s the least I can do.
“We’re all trying our best. Everyone wants to help out because it’s touched us all.”
Not just Warner, Australia’s fast bowlers too have pledged $1000 for every wicket they take in the Sydney Test. Big Bash Stars including Chris Lynn and Glenn Maxwell are donating $250 per six they hit this season. Other big names in the cause are Nick Kyrgios, Ashleigh Barty and Daniel Ricciardo.
