In 1868 a group of Aboriginal cricketers travelled by boat to England, becoming the first Australian sporting side to embark on an international tour.

Kirrae Whurrong artist Aunty Fiona Clarke's great great grandfather and great great uncle, Jimmy Mosquito and Johnny Cuzens were a part of the side.

The brothers are also known by their respective traditional names Grougarrong and Zellanach.

Australia's cricketers will carry the team's legacy on the game stretching back more than 150 years onto the field this summer, through Aunty Fiona's design.

Across the shoulders of the new national Test, One Day and T20 uniforms, unveiled on Tuesday, feature her artwork 'Land and Sea Walkabout First XI'.

It's a "fantastic" representation of their "greatness", Aunty Fiona told National Indigenous Times following the uniforms launch ahead of a highly anticipated season, featuring the men's Ashes and blockbuster women's multi-format series hosting India.

"My ancestors would be smiling seeing their big journey and legacy continue," Aunty Fiona said.

In June, Aunty Fiona travelled to the UK visiting the same places and grounds her ancestors and the First XI played, also meeting some descendants of the England side's they faced.

"They too had stories passed down from their ancestors of those historical times. The First XI story is an amazing one, especially as my old people are, and were, so connected to their country," Aunty Fiona added.

The First XI played 47 matches on the tour after a three month journey.

"They must have known one day their legacy would be recognised, even under the harsh conditions my ancestors were living under here in Australia at the time. After their epic journey and then back home they were herded onto settlements, but their time was to come as it is now, where all cricketers Aboriginal and non-Indigenous today and tomorrow can play together as the stars they are."

In the years since, four Indigenous cricketers have played Test cricket for the national side - Jason Gillespie, current stars Ash Gardner and Scott Boland, and 1950s trailblazer the late Faith Thomas, who's recognised as the first Aboriginal woman to represent Australia in any sport.

A number of other Indigenous players have worn green and gold in limited overs formats, as well as others playing domestic and First Class cricket - dating back to the 19th century.

Both cricket and art have been a part of Aunty Fiona's life.

She's a former indoor player, ongoing fan and first picked up a paintbrush and canvas in 1989, she said.

It's not her first time leaving her mark on Australian playing kits, having contributed designs across a number of summers.

Aunty Fiona detailed 'double meaning' within the 2025 kit.

"The background represents land and sea, such as when the first Aboriginal XI Cricket Walkabout team in 1868 travelled over land and sea to play," Aunty Fiona wrote in a statement provided to National Indigenous Times, adding the group shared traditional Aboriginal culture and displayed their skills with boomerangs and spears while on the tour.

The groups of circles are the First Aboriginal XI teams playing in their historical matches in Melbourne, Sydney and England, Aunty Fiona wrote, with the stars representing those teams, present and future players, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike.

While it might be harder to notice, the design also included on the traditional white Test kit, like those the 1860s team wore for matches.

"It's very important to have that there for Test matches, even though you can't see it. But if you remember to think and look, you will," Aunty Fiona said, adding it hopefully brings the sides some good luck over the summer.

The kit was launched as the SCG on Tuesday.

Cricket Australia chief commercial officer Ed Sanders said the uniforms, produced by ASICS, "represent an exciting fusion of performance, heritage and innovation - supporting our athletes across all formats while celebrating the stories that connect past, present and future players".

Aunty Fiona is both "honoured and proud" to have created a piece of it.

"This artwork is about more than a shirt design, it's about honouring those who came before us, and connecting them with present and future players. The stars symbolise every cricketer, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, who continues this shared legacy through the game," she said.