After making a public plea on Instagram on Tuesday for the return of his baggy green cap that was lost in transit in the lead-up to the Sydney New Year’s Test match, it remains to be seen what David Warner will enter the SCG wearing.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also joined calls for the alleged thieves of Dave Warner’s baggy green to return it immediately.
“I do hope if it hasn’t happened already, whoever knows anything about the missing hat (returns it soon),” Mr Albanese said in a press conference on Wednesday morning.
“Dave Warner has represented Australia on more than 100 occasions, the baggy green hat belongs to him and it should be returned.”
The PM also sent a text message to Sunrise reporter Liam Tapper which he read live on air.
“A missing baggy green? Well, that’s just not cricket!” the Prime Minister’s text read.
“Davey’s earned the right to wear his one final time. If you can help, let’s make it happen.”
Warner’s backpack containing his baggy green went missing while being freighted by a Qantas flight, with the airline saying it was doing what it could to track down the backpack’s whereabouts, also noting the bag had been handled by other companies.
“Our freight teams are continuing to search the terminals in Melbourne and Sydney and reviewing CCTV to try and locate the missing bag,” a spokesperson said.
“We appreciate the importance of this bag and we’re doing everything we can to help find it.”
Pakistan captain Shan Masood also came out in support of Warner, calling for the baggy green’s return during his pre-match press conference.
“There should be a countrywide search right now from the Australian government,” he said.
“We might need the best of detectives to get that back, (Warner) has been a great ambassador, and he deserves every bit of respect, every bit of celebration for his unbelievable career.”
Masood mentioned the revere in which the Australian baggy green was held.
“Test cricket is the pinnacle and the Test cap is special,” he said.
“The way the Australians look after their Test caps, they wear them with pride. Sometimes we have changed our caps in the past, but for them it’s the same baggy green.
“I hope they find it. It’s the most precious thing for any cricketer, and I hope David Warner gets it back.”
In Warner’s impassioned Instagram plea, he said whoever returned the backpack would avoid any trouble, believing they just wanted the Australian cricket bag without being aware of the importance of its contents.
“Unfortunately, this is my last resort to do this, but a couple of days ago our bags got freighted via Qantas,” he said.
“We’ve gone through CCTV footage. They’ve got some blind spots apparently. We’ve spoken to the Quay West Hotel who we absolutely trust, and we’ve gone through their cameras and no one has come into our rooms.
“Unfortunately, someone has taken my backpack out of my actual luggage which had my backpack and my girls’ presents in there.
“Inside this backpack were my baggy greens. That’s sentimental to me and it’s something I’d love to have back in my hands walking out there come this week.
“If it’s the backpack that you really wanted, I have a spare one here. You won’t get in trouble.
“Please reach out to Cricket Australia or me via social media. I’m happy to give this to you if you return my baggy greens.”
The Sydney New Year’s Test is set to get under way at 10.30am on Wednesday.