Johnny Mullagh Cup

The annual event sees 11 Indigenous descendants of the first Australian team face cricketers from the Western District of Victoria in a cricket match.

The Johnny Mullagh Cup aims to celebrate the 1868 Australian team that toured England, which was made up of Aboriginal men from the Harrow region.

“We consider Australia’s first XI to be a significant part of Australian sport and culture so we want to do all that we can to protect it,” Johnny Mullagh Cricket Centre’s Ange Newton said.

Earlier this week, Cricket Victoria’s Country Game and Market Development Manager Chris Harris and InfoReady Victorian Imparja Cup captain Ben Abbatangelo visited the Johnny Mullagh – Harrow Discovery Centre.

The Centre contains the story of one of the nation’s most significant historical, sporting and cultural events; depicting the journey of the 1868 team.

“It was a worthwhile experience travelling to the Centre to engage in the history of Indigenous cricket,” Abbatangelo said.

“As an Indigenous cricketer, it was great to see how it all started.”

Last year, the Johnny Mullagh Centre also launched the Bradman Exhibit, which featured Sir Don’s original Baggy Green cap.

This year’s Cup will be contested at the Johnny Mullagh Oval in Harrow at 10.30am on Sunday, March 10.