Indigenous (Aboriginal)
VCNSW has been working since 2021 towards providing cricket for veteran indigenous (aboriginal) cricketers. The first game came to fruition in October 23 and was played between two NSW O50 sides. In April 24 there was a game between NSW and Vic O50s indigenous (aboriginal). This was a great success and will become a regular event.
The next stage of development is to hold a National Comp for O50s Indigenous Cricket. It is hoped to invite teams from each State and hold this in NSW in Nov 24. In the longer term, we expect that there will be O60s events as the players age and new ones take their place in the O50s. Intrastate games would also be a longer term goal.
Over 50’s
As the captain of the NSW Over 50 Aboriginal team I am very pleased to present you these reports. This includes the very first game involving O50’s Aboriginal players (NSW O50s Aboriginal XI vs NSW O50s Blues) and from the Harrow Cricket Festival, where the NSW O50s Aboriginal XI were victorious in winning the inaugural Unaarrimin Cup.
Report:
After many years of talking about it, the first O50s match for an NSW Aboriginal XI took place against the NSW O50s Blues at Umina, hosted by the Southern Spirit Cricket Club on Sunday 8 October 2023. We thank the selectors for the NSW O50s Blues side that managed to get a very strong side up to Umina to provide a very good game and spectacle for all that came to see it.
The Southern Spirit Cricket Club were also enormous in preparing the grounds and facilities for us all to use. We would also like to thank the NSW O50s Aboriginal XI’s sponsor, M&K Business solutions in Moree for their generosity in assisting us with providing uniforms for all the players.
Sunday 8 October 2023 (Venue: Umina NSW)
45 over game – NSW O50s Aboriginal XI vs NSW O50s Blues
The NSW Blues won the toss and immediately elected to bat. Opening bowler, Steve ‘Jenno” Jennings was on fire early getting Meurling out with a beautiful right hand catch to Johnny Jewiss at square leg, then bowling Shaw for one and having Neich caught behind for only 2. Alf Newman also chimed in with the important wicket of Captain Mace, leaving the Blues struggling at 4/24. The inevitable fightback occurred when Austin and Giddings put on an 80 run partnership with some amazing running between the wickets, Austin falling to John Jewiss for 43 and Giddings retiring on 50. Waddington continued the sensible batting, finishing on 39 not out, but the Blues were kept to 187 after their 45 overs with tight bowling for the Aboriginal XI’s bowlers, backed up superbly by great fielding on a lightning fast outfield. Jennings was the pick of the bowlers with 3/11 off 6 overs.
The NSW Aboriginal XI were next to bat with the confidence that the score could be overhauled. However, that confidence was short lived with the Indigenous team reduced to 3/18 within the first 8 overs, Brett James taking all three wickets, losing Jamie Jewiss, Les Raveneau and Darrel Smith all cheaply. A patient innings from Matt Lewis and some lusty hitting from John Jewiss, paved the way for the comeback with a 90 run partnership, both retiring on 50. Percy Raveneau took up the run scoring, but his dismissal triggered a mini collapse, leaving the visitors at 6 for 147, then shortly thereafter at 8/170. Jewiss and Lewis were united once again to ease past the 187 required in the second last over. John Jewiss finishing on 67* and Matt Lewis on 54*.
A first up win for the NSW O50s Aboriginal XI !!
Man of the match - NSW O50s Aboriginal XI – Steve Jennings for his 3/11. NSW O50s Blues – Mark Austin for his gutsy 43.
NSW O50s Aboriginal XI (Oct 2023):
Back Row: John Jewiss (Manager - Wiradjuri), Les Raveneau (Gamilaroi), Percy Raveneau (Gamilaroi), Jamie Jewiss (Wiradjuri), Steve Jennings (GunaiKurnai), Alf Newman (Gamilaroi).
Front Row: Kim Taylor (Wiradjuri), Jason Jewiss (Wiradjuri), Matt Lewis (Captain – Bidjara), Darrel Smith Vice Captain – Anaiwan), Tim Croft (Gurindji, Malgnin, Mudpurra).
Report:
Very excited to communicate the success of a wonderful cricket tournament down in Harrow, NSW O50s Aboriginal XI vs Victoria O50s Aboriginal XI - the battle for The Unaarrimin Cup at Johnny Mullagh Oval, Harrow, Western Victoria.
Firstly, I must thank Rob Hyatt (Captain of the Vic O50s Aboriginal XI) for his energy in supporting this tournament and bringing his team together, Peter Verechia (Vets Cricket VIC Chairman) and John Jewiss (Vets Cricket NSW Chairman) for their unwavering support, the townspeople of Harrow who made everything perfect with the love of the story, the game and ensuring everything was in place, Veterans Cricket NSW for their willingness to support this venture, our sponsors MSP Photography, Dance2BFit, Digital School Signs, Cafe 2261 and RossCorp Constructions, and finally Josie Sangster, curator of the Harrow Discovery Centre that communicates the story of Johnny Mullagh (Unaarrimin) and the 1868 tour so vividly, for her enthusiasm, organisation, passion for the story and Aboriginal culture was the driving force behind this whole event.
Day 1: Saturday 13 April 2024 (Venue: Harrow, Western Victoria)
40 over game - NSW O50s Aboriginal team vs VIC O50s Aboriginal team
NSW were sent into bat and quickly started to dominate the attack. Lusty hitting by Mark Valette (42* off 55 balls), Scotty Marks (30 off 31), Darrel Smith (41* off 44), Matt Lewis (32 off 20), Prab Bhandara (40* off 40), all contributed to a great total of 6/246. The Victorians could consider themselves unlucky as there were many aerial chances just out of reach, but they did hang onto 3 screamers, while dropping at least another 5 catches. Best bowling for the VICs was 1988 Aboriginal XI tourist, Greg James with 4/42 off his 6 overs.
The Victorians innings started with some circumspect, mainly because of the very good bowling served up by Steve Jennings and Mark Smee, who served up unflappable line and length to restrict their top order. Jennings (6 overs 2/4) and Smee (6 0vers, 0/10) were absolutely relentless. John Jewiss was equally miserly with his 6 over spell of 0/4, and at the halfway mark, Victoria were a long way behind the game. 2 wickets to Matt Lewis at the end (2/9 off 3 overs) left the home side at 8/107 off their 40 overs. Steve Jackson top scoring for the VICs with 27 off 40 balls.
Man of the match - NSW Steve Jennings with 11 runs and 6 overs, 2/4. VIC - Greg James with 6 overs 4/42.
Spirit of Cricket award - Sandy Hodge for his athletic catching, 22 off 75 balls and enormous smile on the field.
The afternoon's activity was to visit the incredible Harrow Discovery Centre which was a cavalcade of history, particularly relating to the 1868 Aboriginal team that toured England. Followed by the event dinner, that featured Geoff Lemon as MC (cricket commentator) and Matt Scullion (Australian musical artist).
Day 2: Sunday 14 April 2024
T20 match - NSW O50s Aboriginal team vs VIC O50s Aboriginal team
NSW elected to bat
NSW picked up where they left off on the previous day, dispatching anything loose to the boundary. Retirement was at 20 and most batsman achieved that mark with Mark Smee being the pick of the batsmen with 52* off 27 balls, Mark Valette with 22* off 15 balls, Matt Lewis 25* off 12 balls, Jamie Jewiss 20* off 12 balls, Prab Bhandara 20* off 15 balls, Steve Jennings 20* off 16 balls and Anthony Telfer 20* off 9 balls. Final score, 3/212 off 20 overs.
Victoria came out with real intent in this match and got away to a good start. Steve Jackson 20* off 13 balls, Sandy Hodge 20* off 27 balls, Bert Pearce 22* off 15 balls, Brad Norman 25* off 15 balls. Final score, 3/112.
Man of the match - NSW Matt Lewis with 25* off 12 balls. VIC - Brad Norman with 25* off 15 balls.
Spirit of Cricket award - Scotty Marks (descendant of Dick-a-dick from the 1868 tour) with his stirring Welcome to Country and great attitude.
All in all, a very successful tournament. NSW O50s Aboriginal team declared the winners of The Unaarrimin Cup. Plans underway for the matches to be an annual event, with possibly a match in the southern highlands of NSW in April 2025.
NSW O50s Aboriginal XI (Harrow – April 2024):
Back row: Uncle Les Knox (1988 tour manager and Legend – Gamilaroi, Bigumbul), Scotty Marks (Wotojobolak), Marcus Curnow (ambassador for Aboriginal Cricket in the region), Anthony Telfer (Spirit of Cricket and Aust O50s Board member), Steve Jennings (GunaiKurnai), Mark Valette (Gamilaroi), Prab Bhandara (Wotojobolak).
Front row: Jamie Jewiss (Wiradjuri), Darrel Smith (Vice Captain - Anaiwan), Matt Lewis (Captain - Bidjara), John Jewiss (Manager - Wiradjuri), Mark Smee (Gamilaroi).
For the NSW O50s Aboriginal team, that makes it 3 wins from 3 games, beating the NSW O50s Blues last October (2023). Statistics for the NSW O50s Aboriginal team over these three games have been included in the attachments.