A similar cap which was sold at Christie's last week

The cap is the third this year to be sold after gracing the head of the famous Australia batsman, who died in 2001 at the age of 92.

Auctioneers Ludgrove's International had planned to auction the cap in London next month, but substantial private offers hastened an immediate sale.

The unnamed buyer plans to take the cap back from England and put it on display in Australia, according to Ludgrove's.

Bradman wore the cap when he scored the last of his 29 Test centuries against England at Headingley in 1948, and then when he made a duck in his last Test innings against England at The Oval later the same year.

The Australian legend finished his Test career with 6,996 runs from 52 matches at an average of 99.94.

He was knighted in 1949 and went on to become a cricket administrator and selector in Australia, as well as writing about the game.

Bradman had given the cap to his English godson, who opted to sell it.

Ludgrove's said the price paid for Bradman's last-Test cap surpassed the previous record set by the cap he wore in the 1947-48 series against India, during which he made his 100th first-class century.

Ludgrove's has never disclosed the amount paid for the earlier cap by a private buyer in February although reports at the time put the price at over �190,000.