OUR FIRST AUSTRALIAN TOURING TEAM: THE 1868 ABORIGINAL CRICKETERS

Made up of Aboriginal stockmen from cattle stations, the team to tour England in 1868 was the first sports team to travel overseas. Whilst the team were obviously skilled cricketers, the tour was marred by controversy and tragedy.

The Australasian, 8 Aug 1868.

Not much is said in the newspapers of Bripumyarrimin (King Cole’s) death while on tour. This poem was read and printed in celebration of his life.

THE WOMENS ASHES HITS NEW HEIGHTS

It’s 2017 and time for the Ashes. This series comes with a difference; the test at North Sydney Oval will be the first day/night test match to be played in women’s cricket. And at the conclusion of the match it will be remembered in more ways than one.

Mark Evans/Getty Images.

Ellyse Perry salutes the crowd after making her double century. A few balls before, she celebrated too early – her stroke going for four and not six.

REBEL TOUR TO SOUTH AFRICA MIXES POLITICS WITH SPORTS

Politics spilt into the sporting arena when the ICC banned South Africa from playing any international cricket. In 1985/86 a team of Australians travelled to South Africa to play a series of matches, resulting in them being banned from playing state and international cricket for a few years.

The Age, 17 May 1985.

Canberra Times, 29 September 1985.

ABC News, 5 July 1985.

LILLEE'S ALUMINIUM BAT GETS MIXED REVIEWS

1979. Dennis Lillee is terrorising batters around the world. But his name hit the headlines when he strode out to bat against England brandishing an aluminium bat he helped manufacture. The result? 3 runs, his captain demanding he use a wooden bat and a rule change to specify bat materials.

Lillee talks to the umpires about his aluminium bat. Adrian Murrell/Getty Images.

Sydney Morning Herald, 16 December 1979.

Sydney Morning Herald, 22 December 1979.

THE SHAME OF SANDPAPERGATE

The use of one tiny little bit of yellow sandpaper results in the suspension of three Australian cricketers. Using it to try and change the condition of the ball caused uproar around the world and on Australian soil.

Steve Smith breaks down during a press conference after being flown back to Australia following the investigation into ball tampering.
Brooke Mitchell, Getty Images Sport.

A STEP TOWARDS PAY EQUALITY

After much success on the arena, Australia’s female cricketers had a major success off the field in 2017. The pay deal struck meant that many players could consider playing cricket full-time employment, for those playing at state and international levels.

Nicholson was the Chief Executive of the Australian Cricketers’ Association at the time the agreement was signed. From ‘Onside', Edition 45, September 2017.

A CRICKETING RIFT: PACKER'S WORLD SERIES CRICKET

Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket attracted more than three dozen of the world’s best cricketers, much to the dismay of international cricket bodies. After a shaky start with small crowds, the competition grew in popularity. But it divided a cricketing nation.

MCCM collection.

‘Packer circus scores best with the young.’ The Age, 31 May 1978.

This Day Tonight, 13 May 1977.

EDDIE GILBERT'S PACE GETS ATTENTION

A young indigenous bowler from Queensland, Eddie Gilbert was a force to be reckoned with. His pace was the undoing of many batsmen, including Don Bradman. But his action caught the eye of a few umpires, who decided that it was illegal and called him for ‘no balls’ in matches.

Eddie Gilbert’s questionable action on display. MCCM collection

Sporting Globe, 18 November 1931.

‘Eddie Gilbert’s Brisbane Chances.’ Courier Mail, 17 September 1936.

BODYLINE TACTICS RUINS ENGLISH REPUTATION

Bradman was such an unstoppable force that in the 1932-33 Ashes the English decided to change bowling tactics against the Aussies. Their method of bowling at the body caused damage not only to a couple of Aussie players, but also their reputation in Australia.

'Bitter Comments on Body-line Bowling.' Sydney Morning Herald, 11 April 1933.

MCCM collection.

The Australian Board of Cricket Control meet in January 1930 and decide to write in complaint of ‘bodyline’ tactics.

UNDERARM BALL IS JUST NOT CRICKET

The across the ditch rivalry between Australia and New Zealand reached breaking point in 1981 with one delivery: Trevor Chappell bowling underarm on the last ball of an ODI at the instruction of his brother, Greg.

The Age, 4 February 1981.

Australia v New Zealand, 1 Feb 1981.