National Indigenous Captains recognised

Dan Christian and Ashleigh Gardner have been named Cricket Australia's National Indigenous Captains, while extended squads for male and female players have been selected ahead of next year's tour.

The Indigenous teams will have a series of high performance camps and matches in preparation for a tour of the United Kingdom next year that will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the 1868 Aboriginal team that became the first sporting team from Australia to tour internationally.

The recognition was welcomed by the players, who will have their names engraved on the hours board at Brisbane's Bupa National Cricket Centre.

"It's nice to have achievements like that. I was lucky enough to be part of the squad that went to England in 2009," said Christian.

"To be named as a captain of a full-strength side is wonderful.

"I think there's a great opportunity for kids to make cricket a feasible career, particularly young Indigenous kids through the pathways now available."

The men's squad contains three sets of brothers: twins Liam and Rhys Ward from Tasmania, Sam and Brendan Doggett from Queensland and Nick and Scott Boland from Victoria. Remarkably all six are fast bowlers.

Cricket Australia’s National Talent Manager Greg Chappell said there was a rapidly increasing pool of Indigenous players performing at high levels all over the country.

"In recent years we have seen a noticeable rise in Indigenous cricketers coming through the talent pathway," Chappell said.

"Now more than 60 male and female indigenous cricketers are playing First XI Premier Cricket and several are having an impact in the WBBL and BBL.

"All players who have been selected in these squads are not only great cricketers but also strong Indigenous role models who, I have no doubt, will inspire the next generation of Dan Christians and Ashleigh Gardners."

The recognition came as part of CA's efforts to celebrate NAIDOC Week.

2017 National Indigenous Squad (Women): Ashleigh Gardner (c), Carly Fuller, Christina Coulson, Clodagh Ryall, Emily Martin (Bowden), Emma Manix-Geeves, Hannah Darlington, Haylee Hoffmeister, Jacinda Goodger-Chandler, Jemma Astley, Kavita Pepper, Maddison Greenhalgh, Marinda Hale, Molly Ward, Natalie Plane, Roxanne Van-Veen, Sally Moylan, Samara Williams, Sara Darney, Zoe Fleming

2017 National Indigenous Squad (Men): Dan Christian (c), Alex Melville, Ben Abbatangelo, Brendan Smith, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Trask, Damon Egan, Dane Ugle, D’Arcy Short, Jonte Pattison, Joshua Lalor, Liam Ward, Nathan Price, Nick Boland, Rhys Ward, Ryan Lees, Sam Doggett, Scott Boland, Zac Chapman