Sydney, Sept 09: An Australian cricket fan who paid 425,000 dollars (272,000 US) to bring Don Bradman's last baggy green cap home from England had to pay a massive tax bill today to get the memento back from airport customs officers. Tim Serisier flew from London into Melbourne yesterday with the cap Bradman wore in his final Test cricket series in 1948 only to have customs officers confiscate it and demand 42,500 dollars in sales tax -- 10 per cent of the price he paid for the cap in July.
Serisier, a banker and one-time customs officer, told national radio he would pay the tax immediately, but felt authorities could have showed a bit more sportsmanship.
"The check's written and I'm headed to the airport to pay" the tax, Serisier said, adding: "It's disappointing, because it will discourage Australian investors from bringing heritage items into this country."
Bradman, widely considered the best cricketer in history, wore the cap on Australia's 1948 tour of England, which included his final test innings.
Serisier bought the cap anonymously at auction in June then later announced he would bring it back to Australia to go on show during this southern summer's test series against India.
Bureau Report