Graham Onions has agreed to auction the bat which defied the South African attack twice this winter to earn England an unexpected 1-1 draw in their Test series.

The Durham seamer has donated the 2lb 7oz Woodworm bat with which he prevented South Africa claiming victory in the first Test at Centurion, when he batted 23 balls to save the game, and then survived another 11 at Cape Town which ensured England could not lose the series.

The bat will be auctioned and all proceeds will go to the soldiers’ charity Help for Heroes while the Mail on Sunday will also donate £500 to the fund.

“I’ll miss that bat,” admitted Onions. “It was the best bat I’ve ever used, an absolute beauty, but I’m very pleased to put it up for auction for this charity.

“As for the charity, growing up in the North-East, we have a strong local connection with the army garrison at Catterick and I know guys I was at school with who’ve seen active service.

“The battlefields trip to Flanders before the Ashes started had a profound effect on all of us. The experience helped put the idea of a few games of cricket against Australia into perspective.”

To win the historic bat, interested parties need to go to www.mailonsunday.co.uk/onions and place their bids before the evening of February 5. The highest bid will win Onions’ bat with the five highest losing bids will each win a Woodworm bat worth £150 (Only one bat per person).

Prizes are as described and there is no cash alternative. The prize draw is open to citizens of the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Employees of Associated Newspapers and their families, households or agents are not eligible to enter. Usual Promotion Rules apply.