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Team Sport Australia Award | 2002

Cricket

Of all Australia’s famous teams, this was arguably the first international touring side and one of the more unusual. In 1868 battling poor health and lack of organisation, a party of aboriginals under Charles Lawrence arrived in England for a series of matches.

The team consisted of 13 Aboriginal men from the Western District of Victoria. The Jardwadjali, Gunditjmara and Wotjobaluk men were coached and captained by an ex all-England cricketer, Charles Lawrence. The team played 47 matches against intermediate-level English amateur teams between May and October 1868, commendably winning 14 and drawing 19.

The tour made headlines in England and Australia and continues to be a significant moment in Australia’s cricketing history, racial relations, and national identity.

In 2018 Australia Post released a stamp issue to commemorate the sporting achievements and 150th anniversary of the 1868 Aboriginal XI – the first cricket team from Australia to tour internationally.

Competition
Aboriginal Tour of England

Captain

Charles Lawrence

Team Members:

  • Dick-a-Dick Jungunjinanuke
  • Peter Arrahmunijarrimun
  • Johnny Mullagh Unaarrimin
  • Johnny Cuzens Zellanach
  • Sundown Ballringarrimin
  • King Cole Brippokei
  • Tiger Bonmbarngeet
  • Red Cap Brimbunyah
  • Bullocky Bullchanach
  • Mosquito Grougarrong
  • Jim Crow Jallachmurrimin
  • Twopenny Murrumgunarriman
  • Charles Dumas Pripumarraman

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