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Australia honours Aboriginal team

27 December 2004 - BBC UK - Australia have honoured a group of Aboriginal cricketers who undertook a tour to England in 1868.

In a special ceremony at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, they were officially recognised as the first players to represent Australia.

"We are very proud of the achievements of the 1868 team," said Cricket Australia chairman Bob Merriman.

The ceremony was attended by Len Clarke, a descendant of team member Johnny Cuzens.

Faith Thomas, the first indigenous Australian to play for the national women's team, and former Test stars Ian Chappell and Ian Healy were also present.

The 1868 team was made up of 13 aboriginal players and an English captain/coach, Charles Lawrence.

They originally planned to play 10 matches, but proved so popular, they ended up taking part in 47 games during a five-month trip.

Ian Healy and Ian Chappell chat to Faith Thomas

Cuzens, Lawrence and Johnny Mullagh scored a combined total of more than 4,000 runs, and between them took 609 wickets.

"The courage and optimism of the 1868 team to undertake and participate in such a lengthy tour, under the conditions of that era, is inspiring.

"Allocating special player numbers to the 14 tour members, with the prefix AUS, is formal recognition of the team's place in history as the first cricketers to represent Australia," Merriman added.

The first official Test match between Australia and England did not take place until March 1877.

Source: BBC, UK

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