Australian Men's Cricket Team Reveals First Ever Indigenous Jersey
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For the first time in history, the Australian men's cricket team will wear an Indigenous jersey.
Following in the footsteps of our rugby league, union and football codes, cricket is now the latest sport to release a jersey dedicated to the original custodians of the land.
The women's national team have already donned a strip that pays homage to the First Nations people - now the men's side have released their own.
It's understood the kit will be worn by the T20 side for their upcoming series against India with the official unveiling coinciding with NAIDOC week.
Designed by Kirrae Whurrong woman Aunty Fiona Clarke & Butchulla and Gubbi Gubbi woman Courtney Hagen, the shirt continues the storytelling of the 1868 cricket team! :raised_hands: #NAIDOC2020 pic.twitter.com/qKRywH5XcR
- Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) November 11, 2020
"We wanted to create something that paid tribute to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cricketers - past, present and future," co-designer Courtney Hagen said.
"We've incorporated artwork that symbolises strength, guidance and support through a connection to our ancestors, represented through the stars and the resilience of the 1868 team represented strongly."
"It's a huge part of our country's history. We're very fortunate now to be a part of it and wear our culture on our shirts." :yellow_heart::heart:
:shirt: Mitch Starc says it's exciting for the @CricketAus men's team to wear an Indigenous playing kit for the first time. #NAIDOCweek #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/BTCk1hvDsx
- ABC SPORT (@abcsport) November 12, 2020
Having both the men's and women's teams playing in Indigenous jerseys is something that has been in the works for a while now.
"Last year as a squad we started to think about how we wanted to represent (Indigenous culture) and to participate in one of the first Indigenous rounds in cricket from an international perspective (in January) was really special," Australia's vice-captain Rachael Haynes told cricket.com.au back in September.
"We want to continue those themes but we also want to have more purpose around what we do. So it's not one offs, we want to do things throughout the year and make it a learning experience."
Australia will wear a special shirt, co-designed by Aunty Fiona, during the #AUSvIND T20I series to celebrate the First Nations people and honour pioneering Indigenous cricketers.
How good does Mitchell Starc look in the new kit? pic.twitter.com/S5gXVNtN3w
- ICC (@ICC) November 12, 2020
Aussie fast-bowler Mitchell Starc, who was the face of the new campaign, says the players are excited to wear the jerseys.
"It's fantastic," he said.
"It's really exciting to have a chance as a men's team to play in an Indigenous guernsey for a series against India.
"The women's team have worn a similar artwork to our one, the Test team have worn the logo on our collars a few times and the WBBL teams have all got it on their guernseys this year."
