The National men’s and women’s Indigenous squads have departed for Port Vila, with the first matches against Vanuatu’s national teams to be played on Friday, 5 May.
Live scores will be available on Cricket Australia’s MyCricket app under ‘CA State Competitions’ for each of the four match days on 5th, 6th, 8th and 9th of May and will be played as double headers with a men’s and women’s fixture. All matches from 6 May onwards will also be live streamed on the Cricket Australia YouTube channel.
The national men’s and women’s Indigenous squads most recent international tour was in 2018 when they travelled to England to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the 1868 Aboriginal team which made the same journey.
Supported through the Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports partnership with Cricket Australia, together with primary principal partner CommBank and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cricket Advisory Committee, the tour is the National Indigenous teams’ first to Vanuatu.
Both women’s and men’s teams will wear black armbands in their opening match, following the recent passing of Aunty Faith Thomas AM, the first Aboriginal woman to represent Australia.
Their opponents Vanuatu have over 25,000 cricket participants in a country with a population of 300,000 and its men’s and women’s national cricket teams are the country’s highest-ranked sporting sides.
CA Women’s Indigenous XI captain Hannah Darlington said: “This is an exciting opportunity that we get to travel to Vanuatu to represent our people and continue the legacy of the players and teams that have come before us.
“It’s probably one of the youngest squads I’ve seen for a national side, so I’m really excited about some of the players that have been able to earn their selection. There are a number of players that will be knocking on the door of a state contract very soon.”
CA Men’s Indigenous XI captain Damon Egan: “It’s a significant tour for all of us and a great opportunity to come together and learn more about our culture. We’re excited to start the series and play some competitive cricket in conditions that will be very new to us on the hybrid surfaces.
“Ultimately the tour will be about more than just the matches on the field and we look forward to learning more about Vanuatu cricket and hopefully play a role in helping them grow the game ahead of their World Cup Qualifiers later this year.”
Pat Conroy MP, Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific said: “Wishing Cricket Australia’s Indigenous XI teams good luck for their tour to Vanuatu — may the best side win! The Australian Government is proud to support the tour through the PacificAus Sports initiative, which together with Cricket Australia is helping to build a thriving sports community across the Pacific.
NATSICAC Co-Chair and Cricket Australia Director, Greg Rowell said: “It’s terrific to see the tour go ahead and to see the talent on display across the men’s and women’s teams. We wish them a successful tour embracing the cricket opportunities as well as the cultural experiences on offer.”
TOUR SCHEDULE (all times AEST)
Friday 5 May
Vanuatu Women v CA Indigenous XI Women 8:30am
Vanuatu Men v CA Indigenous XI Men 12:30pm
Saturday 6 May
Vanuatu Women v CA Indigenous XI Women 8:30am
Vanuatu Men v CA Indigenous XI Men 12:30pm
Monday 8 May
Vanuatu Men v CA Indigenous XI Men 8:30am
Vanuatu Women v CA Indigenous XI Women 12:30pm
Tuesday 9 May
Vanuatu Men v CA Indigenous XI Men 8:30am
Vanuatu Women v CA Indigenous XI Women 12:30pm
National Women’s Indigenous squads
(Name, mob, home state)
Women’s Squad
Hannah Darlington – captain, Kamilaroi, NSW
Ella Hayward – vice captain, Jawoyn, VIC
Aimee Ravot, Wiradjuri, NSW
Anita Silva, Palawa, TAS
Callee Black, Wiradjuri, NSW
Charlotte Toohey, Perth, WA
Christina Coulson, Kaurareg, QLD
Clodagh Ryall, Thursday Island, QLD
Grace Abdy, Waanyi Ganggalida, QLD
Mikayla Hinkley, Kunja, QLD
Piper Hooke, North East Wiradjuri, NSW
Taleha Urszulak, Dharawal, NSW
Veronica Keen, Badimia, WA
Men’s Squad
Damon Egan – captain, Gunditjmara, VIC
Dylan McLachlan – vice captain, Kamilaroi, QLD
Bailey Toseland, Taungurung, VIC
Ben Spinks, Palawa, TAS
Brandon Kopper, Palawa, TAS
Benjamin Patterson, NSW
Brynley Richards, Dharawal, NSW
Cody Hoffmeister, Palawa, WA
Kobe Ross, Kaiwalagal, NSW
Nicolas Taylor, Noongar, WA
Tyrell Sinclair, Ngarrindjeri, Yorta Yorta, SA
Tyran Liddiard, Biripi, NSW
