Imparja Cup side takes centre stage
Among the attendees was Melbourne Stars president Eddie McGuire and Melbourne Heart striker David Williams, who presented the caps to the team, along with Australian fast bowler, James Pattinson.
“Congrats to all the boys here… Stick with it and hard work will get you places,” Williams said.
In front of the MCG crowd, Wurundjeri elder, Dr (Aunty) Joy Wandin-Murphy, began the formalities with the Welcome to Country.
Celebrating Indigenous culture and cricket, the cap presentation held on the hallowed turf of the MCG allowed for Indigenous cricket to take another step forward.
“I was so proud to be out on the ground today. To have the cap presentation on the MCG before this important game is the biggest feather in the cap,” Dr (Aunty) Wandin-Murphy said.
With skipper Ben Abbatangelo currently in Adelaide competing in the Under-19 National Championships, vice-captain Fletcher Stewart filled in admirably.
“For these guys to be involved and highlighting the importance of Indigenous cricket and Indigenous sport is really special,” Stewart said.
“It’s quite a special night. Everyone aspires to play cricket on the MCG and although we didn’t get to play today, receiving the cap is just as special.
“Indigenous cricket is in the shadows of AFL football. A lot of time and effort from Cricket Victoria, through people like Annie Hateley and Stuart Clark, goes into Indigenous cricket and things like tonight bring it to attention.
“Hopefully it won’t be long until we see the likes of Daniel Christian get their Test caps.”
Late last year, Cricket Victoria selected a 13-man squad to contest the annual tournament to be staged in Alice Springs from February 5 to 11.
The Victorian team – also known as Noogal Toengorrt Tani – named for this year’s Imparja Cup is:
(c) Ben Abbatangelo- (Northcote CC)
Barry Firebrace (Keon Park CC)
John Green (North Heidelberg CC)
Sandy Hodge (Homers CC)
Patrick Jackson (Pines CC)
Alex Kerr (North Melbourne CC)
Clayton McCartney (North Dandenong CC)
Brenden Miller (North Melbourne CC)
Troy Oakley (Moe CC)
Keith Stevens (Tocumwal CC)
Fletcher Stewart (Fitzroy-Doncaster CC)
Bohdi Walker (Sale City CC)
Michael White (Keon Park CC)
Head coach: Stuart Clark
Assistant coach: Rob Hyatt
Team manager: Stephen Jackson
Tournament acting head coach: John Watkin
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