Cricket: Shane Warne's bushfire 'baggy green' auction breaks Don Bradman record

Shane Warne's 'baggy green' has raised more than $500,000.
Shane Warne's 'baggy green' has raised more than $500,000. Photo credit: Twitter: @ShaneWarne

Aussie cricket legend Shane Warne says he's "blown away", as bids for his 'Baggy Green' cap reach AU$511,000 (NZ$527,000), surpassing the amount once raised for Sir Donald Bradman's prized cap.

The test cap is the ultimate possession for any Australian cricketer and Warne has offered his to raise funds for the bushfire appeal, as the disaster continues to ravage much of the country. 

Warne, 50, wore the cap throughout his 145-test career for Australia, during which he took 708 wickets with his spin bowling.

With less than 24 hours left on the auction, more than $500,000 has been raised. The item would also contain an autographed certificate of authenticity from Warne.

To put the astronomical figure into perspective, a similar cap belonging to Australia's most revered cricketer - Sir Donald Bradman - commanded AU$425,000 (NZ$438,000) in 2003. 

"Wow! Absolutely blown away. Thank you so much," Warne tweeted.

Athletes starting contributing towards the bushfires after Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios said he'd donate $AU$200 for every ace he hits at every tournament he enters in January.

Aussie NBA players have pledged US$750,000 (NZ$1.1m) towards the cause, but it's not just Australians donating, with international superstars like Serbian tennis star Novak Novak Djokovic and US skateboarding legend Tony Hawk also chipping in. 

At least 28 people have died, and more than 1500 homes or buildings have been destroyed in the fires.