Johnny Mullagh, the best player of the 1868 Aboriginal team that became the first sporting team from Australia to tour internationally, has been inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.
Mullagh is considered one of the best players of his era, highlighted by taking 245 wickets at 10 and scoring 1698 runs at 23.65 during that inaugural tour. Mullagh featured in 45 of the 47 matches played during the tour.
The medal is a recreation of the original belt buckle worn by the 1868 team, chosen due to Mullagh’s strong connection with the MCG having played in the 1866 Boxing Day match, playing in one first-class match for Victoria against Lord Harris’ XI in March 1879 and working for the MCC in 1869/70 as a ground bowler.
Learning to bat with a red gum bat at Pine Hill Station in the West Wimmera region of Victoria, Mullagh will long be remembered as a pioneer of the sport, now recognised as the first Aboriginal inducted to the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.
Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Chairman Peter King said Mullagh was a star player of his era and deserving of this honour.
“Johnny Mullagh and the 1868 Aboriginal team paved the way for so many future Australians to showcase their skill and talent on the world stage. To consider the team’s feats were in an era dictated by inequality, makes their story even more remarkable and worthy of recognition,” Mr King said.
“Johnny starred in the third cricket match ever scheduled on Boxing Day at the MCG in 1866 where he was his team’s highest runs scorer in both innings with scores of 14 and 33 respectively. Before becoming the standout performer on the 1868 tour of England.
“The Australian Cricket Hall of Fame is proud to honour Johnny Mullagh for his contribution to Australia’s cricketing history and national identity.”
ACA Interim CEO Joe Connellan highlighted the importance of Mullagh’s story.
“The ACA is proud to honour Johnny Mullagh. Johnny was a Jardwadjali man from Western Victoria and a brilliant all round cricketer,” Mr Connellan said.
“His story is an important one for all Australians because it tells of the huge contribution Johnny made to Australian sport in a time of grave inequality and discrimination.
“Hopefully this honour serves to tell Johnny’s Mullagh’s largely untold story.”
Cricket Australia Interim CEO Nick Hockley said Mullagh’s contribution to the game of cricket continues to have significance in today’s generations.
“Johnny Mullagh and 1868 team’s story is one of resilience and triumph, as well as discrimination and tragedy. Mullagh represents his entire team and the special place they have in cricket’s history,” Mr Hockley said.
“The achievements of the 1868 Aboriginal cricket team 152 years ago are truly inspiring, and we thank and acknowledge all descendants from the 1868 team who continue to work with Cricket Australia to bring this incredible story to life.
“We hope through celebrating their achievements, we can find more descendants connected to this remarkable Australian story, and continue to acknowledge their esteemed place in Australian cricket.”
There will be a further two inductees to the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame announced in February 2021.
The Australian Cricket Hall of Fame is located in the Australian Sports Museum located at Gate 3 of the MCG. For further details about visiting the Australian Sports Museum, please visit: australiansportsmuseum.org.au
Full list of players in the 1868 team:
UNAARRIMIN (JOHNNY MULLAGH)
GRONGARRONG (MOSQUITO)
YELLANACH (JOHNNY CUZENS)
MURRUMGUNARRIMAN (TWOPENNY)
PRIPUMUARRAMAN (CHARLEY DUMAS)
YANGGENDYINANYUK (DICK-A-DICK)
BONNIBARNGEET (TIGER)
BRIPUMYARRIMIN (KING COLE)
BALLRINJARRIMIN (SUNDOWN)
BRIMBUNYAH (REDCAP)
ARRAHMUNYARRIMUN (PETER)
LYTEJERBILLIJUN (JIM CROW)
BULLCHANACH (BULLOCKY)
CHARLES LAWRENCE (Captain)
About the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame
The Australian Cricket Hall of Fame was first proposed by the Melbourne Cricket Club in 1995.
With the support of Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria, the Hall of Fame was officially opened by the then Prime Minister of Australia, the Honourable John Howard MP in 1996.
The selection philosophy for the hall of fame focuses on the players’ status as sporting legends in addition to their outstanding statistical records.
The selection panel is made up of representatives from all levels of cricket. Chaired by the current MCC Cricket Chairman, three former players are joined by the respective CEOs of Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association, along with two representatives from the media.
All inductees must have been retired from international cricket for a minimum of five years to be eligible for selection.
An inaugural group of ten players were inducted in 1996, and a further 44 players have been welcomed since:
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Inducted 1996 - Fred Spofforth, John Blackham, Victor Trumper, Clarrie Grimmett, Bill Ponsford, Sir Donald Bradman, Bill O’Reilly, Keith Miller, Ray Lindwall and Dennis Lillee
Inducted 2000 - Warwick Armstrong, Neil Harvey and Allan Border
Inducted 2001 - Bill Woodfull and Arthur Morris
Inducted 2002 - Stan McCabe and Greg Chappell
Inducted 2003 - Lindsay Hassett and Ian Chappell
Inducted 2004 - Hugh Trumble and Alan Davidson
Inducted 2005 - Clem Hill and Rod Marsh
Inducted 2006 - Monty Noble and Bob Simpson
Inducted 2007 - Charles Macartney and Richie Benaud
Inducted 2008 - George Giffen and Ian Healy
Inducted 2009 - Steve Waugh
Inducted 2010 - Bill Lawry and Graham McKenzie
Inducted 2011 - Mark Taylor and Doug Walters
Inducted 2012 - Shane Warne
Inducted 2013 - Charlie Turner and Glenn McGrath
Inducted 2014 - Mark Waugh and Belinda Clark
Inducted 2015 - Adam Gilchrist and Jack Ryder
Inducted 2016 - Jeff Thomson and Wally Grout
Inducted 2017 - David Boon, Matthew Hayden and Betty Wilson
Inducted 2018 - Norm O’Neill, Ricky Ponting and Karen Rolton
Inducted 2019 - Cathryn Fitzpatrick, Dean Jones and Billy Murdoch
Inducted 2020 - Sharon Tredrea and Craig McDermott
Inducted 2021 - Johnny Mullagh (Unaarrimin), Merv Hughes and Lisa Sthalekar
SELECTION PANEL
ACHOF chairman and current MCC committee member Peter King
Former Test captain Belinda Clark
Former Test captain Mark Taylor
Former Test batsman and former MCC President Paul Sheahan
Australian Cricketers’ Association Interim CEO Joe Connellan
Cricket Australia Interim CEO Nick Hockley
Media representatives Ben Horne and Greg Baum
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