Search

show me:

Indigenous cricket hero's Hall of Fame nod

3 minute read

The star member of the Aboriginal team to tour England in 1868, Johnny Mullagh, will be inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in February.

Johnny Mullagh, the champion player from the 1868 Aboriginal tour of England, will become the first Indigenous member of the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.

Officials confirmed on Monday that in February Mullagh would the 55th player to be inducted, alongside two others who are yet to be confirmed.

It comes in the same week it was announced the player of the Boxing Day Test will received the Johnny Mullagh medal.

Mullagh was the star performer of Australia's maiden team to tour overseas in any sport.

He scored 1698 runs, took 245 wickets and even claimed four stumpings in the 47-match tour of England, of which tourists won 14 and lost 14 matches with 19 draws.

Numbers so good that Australian Cricket Hall of Fame chairman Peter King confirmed he and other selectors were happy to break the criteria of the award only being for Test players.

"This was a bit of an oversight in retrospect. We have chosen Johnny as a representative of that era," King said.

"I think it's a great decision. The ongoing induction criteria hasn't changed beyond that.

"His record speaks for itself and it should have been acknowledged previously. He's a stand-out character in that era."

Hall of Fame officials were on Monday still trying to find relations of Mullagh for when he is inducted.

The Victorian went on to represent his state in a tour match against England in 1879 before his death one day after his 50th birthday.

"Johnny Mullagh and 1868 team's story is one of resilience and triumph, as well as discrimination and tragedy," interim Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said.

"Mullagh represents his entire team and the special place they have in cricket's history."

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au