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History no mystery for Aboriginal XI

Descendants of the 1868 tour met the current squad set to embark on the commemorative campaign

Ahead of their historic tour to the UK next month, members of the Aboriginal men’s and women’s squads have visited the home of the pioneering 1868 Aboriginal team in Victoria’s West Wimmera region.

Six players – Natalie Plane, Emma Manix-Geeves, Scott Boland, Nick Boland, Damon Egan and Tyran Liddiard – had a chance to meet the descendants of the 1868 outfit that is recognised as the first Australian sporting team to tour internationally.

Image Id: 2A56CB4B4A8D4A1081A9BD73C88A7858 Image Caption: The Aboriginal XI uniforms with the names of the 1868 tourists // cricket.com.au

As a tribute, the men’s team will wear the names of the original squad members on the back of their playing uniforms during next month’s tour, with fast bowler Scott Boland meeting the descendant Yellanach (Johnny Cuzens), whose name he will carry.

“I’m representing Johnny Cuzens (Yellanach) and my brother Nick is representing Mosquito (Grongarrong) and they were brothers over there so it will be pretty cool to go over there and represent them,” Boland said. 

“I met Ash Cuzens today and he did a nice welcome for us to his land and it was great to meet him and now have that connection.

“We’ve learnt so much about the 1868 tour and Aboriginal culture and next Friday we take off to England where we will get to learn even more then so we’re all really excited to get over there and share some of these stories with the other players on tour.”

Image Id: 07140BA1D431413692EFFC1C41FD10BE Image Caption: Yellanach (Johnny Cuzens) and Boland // cricket.com.au

Of the 13 that toured in 1868, four players – Grongarrong (Mosquito), Yellanach (Johnny Cuzens), Jumgumjenanuke (Dick-a-Dick) and Charles Lawrence – were represented by their descendants over the weekend.

“We got to hear stories about the ancestors of those in attendance today and it was really nice to get to know them on a personal level,” said women’s squad member Plane. 

“I think this trip has given us a bit more purpose behind why we are going over there and we get to learn about what they had to go through so we can continue to tell that story.”

Image Id: D566F63AAC614533BFA0EEEB00899EDB Image Caption: Backyard cricket at Harrow Discovery Centre // cricket.com.au

The men's team will open the tour against the MCC at the picturesque Arundel Castle while the highlight of the campaign will be a double header at The Oval on June 7. 

The squads will play matches against Surrey, Sussex, Derbyshire and Nottinhamshire at the same venues the 1868 side played at, along with The Oval and Trent Bridge.

The men’s squad, captained by Melbourne Renegades allrounder Dan Christian, will fly out on Friday with three new faces from the squad that was initially named.

D’Arcy Short’s call-up to the national team has seen him be replaced by Brock Larance, while Brynley Richards and Ben Patterson come in for Dane Ugle and Nathan Price. 

FIXTURES

Men's
5th June – Aboriginal XI v Marylebone CC at Arundel Castle
7th June – Aboriginal XI v Surrey at The Oval
8th June – Aboriginal XI v Sussex at the First Central County Ground
10th June – Aboriginal XI v Derbyshire at the County Ground
12th June – Aboriginal XI v Nottinghamshire at Loughborough

Women's
7th June – Aboriginal XI v Surrey at The Oval
8th June – Aboriginal XI v Sussex at the First Central County Ground
10th June – Aboriginal XI v National Cricket Conference at the County Ground
12th June – Aboriginal XI v ECB Academy at Loughborough