Cricket Aus. Remembers 1868 Tour

Today (Friday) is the 138th anniversary of the first Australian tour of England. In recognition of this historic event Cricket Australia will fly Aboriginal flags above all the major Australian cricket venues.

The tour was unique because the entire team (bar the manager) was made up of Aboriginal cricketers.

The team played in a cruelling 47 matches, winning 14, losing 14, and drawing 19. They were on the field 99 days out of a possible 126.

The Australian public were against the trip, believing the Aboriginal players were being exploited, but despite these and other financial concerns, the trip went ahead regardless.

In 1869 the ‘Aborigines Protection Act’ came into being, it is almost certain the tour would not have happened, if this act had been passed a year earlier.

Some of the names of the cricketers were very colourful such as Dick-a-dick, Tiger, Red Cap, Mosquito and King Cole. Regrettably two players were sent home early after becoming very ill. Another King Cole died during the tour from tuberculosis.