Captain Christian the star as Aboriginal XI down MCC in two 20-over contests at picturesque Arundel
Aboriginal XI begin England tour in style
The Aboriginal XI have made the perfect start to their 150-year anniversary commemorations with back-to-back wins over the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in their double-header on Tuesday at Arundel Castle.
View the full scorecards here
In match one, the MCC won the toss and sent the Aboriginal XI in to bat. After losing Damon Egan early, Brynley Richards (33) and Brendan Smith (34) combined for a 62-run partnership off just 51 balls to place their side in a strong position.
The dismissals of both Richards and Smith saw Ben Patterson make his way to the crease and he wasted no time in launching several balls in all directions of Arundel Castle on his way to an unbeaten 49 off just 23 deliveries, helping push the Aboriginal XI to a solid total of 8-150 from their 20 overs. Mark Watt and James Letchford took three wickets each for the MCC.
In reply a share of wickets across the board for the Aboriginal XI saw the MCC lose batsmen at regular intervals to eventually be all out for 129 in 19.3 overs.
Scott Boland finished with 3-29 while Sam Doggett, Dan Christian and Jonte Pattison claimed two wickets each.
Image Id: 78CD6FFFE0B4401BBBAEA7C383FD6332 Image Caption: Scott Boland in action for the Aboriginal XIIn the second match, a much improved MCC finished their 20 overs 3-147 thanks largely to a 107-run partnership between Simon Lambert (78no) and Dylan Budge (43no).
In reply, Egan's 24 off 18 got the Aboriginal XI off to a flyer before some tight bowling from John Stephenson and Letchford slowed the scoring rate dramatically in the middle overs.
Enter Aboriginal XI skipper Dan Christian who, with strong support from Pattison (27), belted 78 not out from just 53 balls, including winning the game with 10 runs from the first two balls of the 20th over.
Both the men's and women's Aboriginal squads, led by Christian and Ashleigh Gardner respectively, are in the UK to mark 150 years since a men's Aboriginal squad toured England, becoming Australia's first sporting team to tour overseas.
On Wednesday, both squads will visit London’s Meath Gardens, the place of rest of Bripumyarrimin (King Cole), the player who died on that 1868 tour.
Attention will then turn to The Oval on Thursday, with both teams set to face Surrey.