First Australian team of cricketers that visited England in 1868 [picture]
- Bib ID:
- 2699211
- Format:
- Picture
- Online Version:
- National Library of Australia digitised item. PIC Drawer PM 4363 #PIC/P838/10 copy
- Description:
-
- between 1915 and 1930
- 1 photograph : black and white ; 30 x 18.8 cm
- 1 photograph : black and white ; 30 x 21 cm
- Series:
- E.W. Searle collection of photographs.
- Biography/History:
-
The 1868 cricket tour from Australia to England holds great historical significance as it was the first-ever international cricket tour. The team was composed of Indigenous Australians, including Jardwadjali, Gunditjmara and Wotjobaluk men, many of whom had been working on cattle stations in western Victoria. The team played the Melbourne Cricket Club before a large crowd in 1866, then completed a six-month tour of England in 1868 including playing in front of 20,000 spectators at the first match at the Oval. Led by Charles Lawrence, the team played a total of 47 matches during their tour, including matches against various county teams and prominent cricket clubs in England. They faced significant challenges, both on and off the field, encountering racism and cultural differences. Despite these obstacles, the team achieved notable successes, winning 14 matches, losing 14, and drawing 19. Their achievements were remarkable considering the unfamiliar conditions and the prejudices they faced. They left a lasting legacy in the history of Australian cricket and played a role in fostering interest in the sport.
The Geelong Advertiser reported Johnny Mullagh as the best batsman, demonstrating a free wristy and forward style, good with the ball and in the field, and questioned if there is a better all-round cricketer in the colony. Born Unaarrimin and growing up at Pine Hill Station in West Wimmera in Victoria, Mullagh played in the third cricket match ever scheduled at the MCG on Boxing Day in 1866 for the Aboriginal and T. W. Wills XI who played the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) in front of one of the biggest crowds of that era. Mullagh, who learned to bat with a red gum bat, is considered one of the best players of his era and featured in 45 of the 47 matches played during the 1868 tour.
- Notes:
-
- Cultural sensitivity advisory notice: Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and other First Nations people are advised that this item contains the names and images of deceased people and other content that may be culturally sensitive.
- Title from inscriptions.
- Condition: some discolouration.
- Part of the E.W. Searle collection of photographs.
- Inscriptions: "47 matches were played, 14 were won; 14 were lost; and 19 drawn. The greatest victory was against Farbrother Team, whom they defeated by an innings and 284 runs. At East Hampshire, Twopenny, one of the Aboriginal bowlers, obtained the very wonderful average of 10 overs, 7 maidens, 9 runs and 9 wickets; while remaining batsman was caught by Twopenny, off Mullagh's bowling"--Printed lower centre; poster featuring individual portraits of the Aboriginal cricket team members that "was got together in the Lake Wallace District by T. Wills and C. Lawrence and left for England in February, 1868"--Caption printed lower centre.
- Photograph of a poster published by Photoline Company, 515 George Street, Sydney.
- PIC Drawer PM 4363 #PIC/P838/10 copy Also available online https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-141855333
- Subject:
- Occupation:
- Cricketers
- Other authors/contributors:
- Photoline Printing Co
- Exhibited:
- Exhibited: "How's That", Visitors Centre, National Library of Australia, 2 February 2007 - 17 June 2007.
- Related Records:
-
This belongs to the E.W. Searle collection of photographs.
This collection contains 2,203 records. - Copyright:
-
Out of Copyright
You may copy or order a copy through Copies Direct or use the online copy for research or study; for other uses Contact us for further information about copying.
- Reason for copyright status:
- Created/Published Date is Before 1955
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Photograph
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 1930
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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