Boxing Day Test to honour 1866 Aboriginal XI

 

The Boxing Day Test and an array of lead-up activities will take place to recognise the historical significance of the match in 1866, and celebrate the legacy left by that landmark Aboriginal cricket team.

The first major activity was initiated today at the MCG, where Cricket Australia was joined by the Hon Natalie Hutchins MP, Victorian Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, and representatives from the Commonwealth Bank to reveal the piece of commemorative artwork that will be integrated into all celebrations associated with the 1866 match and the 1868 Aboriginal team that toured England.

The artwork, ‘Walkabout Wickets’, was designed by Aboriginal artist Ms Fiona Clarke, who is a descendent of the Kirrae Whurrong Clan in the Western District in Victoria. Ms Clarke is also a descendent of players from both the 1866 and 1868 Aboriginal teams.

Also announced today were details of the inaugural Mullagh-Wills Oration, the first to be delivered with a focus on the connection between historical events and the present, between cricket and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

In partnership with the MCC and Victoria University, the oration will take place at the MCG on 13 December and will be co-delivered by the 2009 Australian of the Year and advocate for Indigenous rights, Professor Mick Dodson AM, and Dr Greg De Moore, author of Tom Wills and A National Game.

The oration is named in honour of Tom Wills, who captain-coached the Aboriginal XI in 1866, and Johnny Mullagh, the side’s star all-rounder who later went on to captain the Aboriginal XI which toured England in 1868 – the first cricket team from Australia to tour internationally.

Fans attending the Boxing Day Test will see a commemorative pre-match anthem ceremony and a customary welcome to country prior to the first ball. The commemorative artwork will also feature on the playing shirts of the Australian team, the match day stumps and throughout the stadium.

The MCC Museum, located at the MCG, will also unveil a special display that reflects the historic MCC v Aboriginal XI Boxing Day match, featuring a ball presented to the MCC’s W.H.Handfield “for his excellent bowling in the match”.

Hundreds of Indigenous Australians are expected to make the journey from all parts of the state to take part in the festivities.

Commemoration activities will continue right through until 2018, when Cricket Australia will recognise and celebrate the achievements of the 1868 Aboriginal team.

Women’s and men’s Indigenous teams will tour England in 2018 to retrace the steps of that squad.