National Indigenous squads take off for tour of Pacific neighbour

Callan Morse Published May 4, 2023 at 11.00am (AWST)

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Hannah Darlington and Damon Egan will captain the Australian Indigenous tour of Vanuatu. (Image: supplied, Cricket Australia)

Australia's National Indigenous squads have departed for Vanuatu ahead of each team's upcoming T20 series against the Pacific hosts.

Beginning Friday, the men's and women's squads will each face the Vanuatu national side in four T20 fixtures, marking the first overseas tour of an Australian Indigenous cricket team in five years.

Australia's men's and women's Indigenous squads most recently toured internationally in 2018, when they travelled to England to mark the anniversary of the 1868 all-Indigenous side which made the same journey 150 years previous.

The men's Indigenous XI will be captained by Gunditjmara man Damon Egan, a member of the squad who last faced Vanuatu in a one-off 50-over fixture in Queensland in 2019.

"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," Egan said.

"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."

Vanuatu have more than 25,000 cricket participants in a country with a population of 300,000, with the Pacific nation's men's and women's national cricket teams are the country's highest-ranked sporting sides.

Women's Indigenous XI Hannah Darlington said the youthful women's side includes a number of talented players who she believes are close to breaking into professional cricket.

"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," she said.

"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."

Darlington (NSW Breakers/Sydney Thunder), is joined by professionals Ella Hayward (Victoria/Melbourne Renegades) and Mikayla Hinkley (Queensland Fire/Brisbane Heat) in the women's squad.

Although the men's squad will be without the likes of Scott Boland and D'Arcy Short, who both lined up against Vanuatu in 2019, the men's side has multiple players with experience at semi-professional level.

Captain Egan and wicketkeeper Tyran Liddiard both possess state 2nd XI experience, whilst allrounders Ben Patterson and Brynley Richards both toured England as part of the squad in 2018.

Cricket Australia director and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cricket Advisory Committee (NATSICAC) co-chair Greg Rowell said he was glad to see the squads tour after the COVID19 pandemic prevented either team tour for a number of years.

"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," Mr Rowell said.

Both women's and men's teams will wear black armbands in Friday's opening matches, following the recent passing of the first Aboriginal woman to represent Australia, Aunty Faith Thomas AM.

National Indigenous XI tour of Vanuatu schedule

Vanuatu Women v Cricket Australia Indigenous XI Women, Friday 5 May, 8:30am

Vanuatu Men v Cricket Australia Indigenous XI Men, Friday 5 May, 12:30pm

Vanuatu Women v Cricket Australia Indigenous XI Women, Saturday 6 May, 8:30am

Vanuatu Men v Cricket Australia Indigenous XI Men, Saturday 6 May, 12:30pm

Vanuatu Women v Cricket Australia Indigenous XI Men, Monday 8 May, 8:30am

Vanuatu Men v Cricket Australia Indigenous XI Women, Monday 8 May, 12:30pm

Vanuatu Women v Cricket Australia Indigenous XI Men, Tuesday 9 May, 8:30am

Vanuatu Men v Cricket Australia Indigenous XI Women, Tuesday 9 May, 12:30pm

National Women's Indigenous squads

(Name, mob, home state)