Aboriginal XI in England 2018

Aboriginal XI were the very first Australian based sports team to tour internationally. The team consisted of Aboriginal stock-men, who were workers from Western Victoria in cattle stations. Common workers were introduced to the game of cricket by station owners. In 1968, 13 Aboriginal men toured England for playing matches.

To pay tribute to Aboriginal XI, women’s and men’s team will tour United Kingdom for playing cricket matches in the first two weeks of June. 13 men will tour England bearing the names of the first ever players. However, the female team will wear their own names.

The respective Aboriginal XI teams will be led by Ashleigh Gardner and Dan Christian. The matches will feature teams from original tour like Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), Surrey, Sussex, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

Matches against Surrey, Sussex and Derbyshire will take place on double-header at The Oval and other similar venues to the 1968 tour.

The uniform being worn in the matches is integrated with artwork named ‘Walkabout Wickets’ which speaks the story of the 1866 Boxing Day match and the 1868 tour. They were designed by Fiona Clarke who is the great-great-granddaughter of Grongarrong.

Players will also participate in other activities apart from matches. They will visit sites significant to the 1968 team like training areas and match locations, Johnny Mullagh Oval, Johnny Mullagh’s grave and the Harrow Discovery Centre.

Aboriginal XI Men Fixtures:

5th June - Aboriginal XI v Marylebone CC at Arundel Castle

7th June - Aboriginal XI v Surrey at The Kia Oval

8th June - Aboriginal XI v Sussex at The First Central County Ground

10th June - Aboriginal XI v Derbyshire at 3aaa County Ground

12th June - Aboriginal XI v Nottinghamshire at Loughborough

Aboriginal XI Women fixtures:

7th June - Aboriginal XI v Surrey at The Kia Oval

8th June - Aboriginal XI v Sussex at The First Central County Ground

10th June - Aboriginal XI v National Cricket Conference at 3aaa County Ground

12th June - Aboriginal XI v ECB Academy at Loughborough