The Australian Women’s Cricket Team will wear a uniform designed by Aboriginal artists when they take on England in a T20 international on 1 February 2020 on Ngunnawal Country, at Manuka Oval in Canberra.
A collaborative project between Cricket Australia, Aboriginal artists, Kirrae Whurrong woman Aunty Fiona Clarke and Butchulla woman Courtney Hagen, and Asics, the uniform pays homage to the 1868 Aboriginal cricket team and symbolises Australian Cricket’s commitment to reconciliation.
The uniform will feature two sides: the front featuring the Walkabout Wickets logo representing past, present and future Aboriginal cricketers and the back of the strip illustrates women as warriors possessing strength and intelligence whilst standing with each other.
Australian all-rounder and Muruwari woman Ash Gardner is particularly proud to don the uniform in a celebration of her culture.
“As part of the touring party that celebrated the 150th anniversary of the 1868 Aboriginal team to tour England, I realise how powerful valuing culture through symbols like uniforms can be about telling stories and raising awareness,” she said.
“My hope is that this match and these uniforms play a part in starting conversations, promoting awareness and encouraging us all to learn more.”
One of the uniform’s designers, Cricket Australia’s Indigenous Engagement Specialist Courtney Hagen, credits the work of her collaborator Aunty Fiona Clarke, who is the great-great-grandaughter of a member of the 1868 team, in drawing on her heritage and connection to cricket and country.
“It is a strong demonstration of respect and an acknowledgement to Australia’s First Nations peoples and connection to the 1868 Aboriginal Team who toured England,” she said.
“On the front of the playing strip is the Walkabout Wickets logo. The large circle represents Lords, the smaller circles signifying the teams’ various meeting places and the wickets with no bails convey the game’s continual forward motion. The stumps flying represent Aboriginal cricketers beating England at their own game.
“The belt wraparound of the uniform demonstrates the years of the 1868 team’s journey, the story-telling of their descendants and families which has kept the story…going for the last 150 years and the strength and resilience this team and culture has repeatedly displayed over the last 65,000 years. The back of the uniform represents the women’s camp, depicting cricketing warriors with strength, intelligence and support for each other.”