The Aboriginal XI have made the perfect start to their 150-year anniversary commemorations with back-to-back wins over the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in their double header today at Arundel Castle.
In match one the MCC won the toss and sent the Aboriginal XI in to bat. After losing Damon Egan early, Brynley Richards (33) and Brendan Smith (34) combined for a 62-run partnership off just 51 balls to place their side in a strong position.
The dismissal of both Richards and Smith saw Ben Patterson make his way to the crease and he wasted no time in launching several balls in all directions of Arundel Castle on his way to an unbeaten 49 off just 23 deliveries.
The Aboriginal XI in action.
In the end the Aboriginal XI finished their 20 overs 8-150. Mark Watt and James Letchford took three wickets each for the MCC.
In reply a share of wickets across the board saw the MCC lose batsman at regular intervals to eventually be all out for 129 in 19.3 overs. Scott Boland finished with figures of 3-29 while Sam Doggett, Dan Christian and Jonte Pattison claimed two wickets each.
In the second match a much improved MCC finished their 20 overs 3-147 thanks largely to a 107 partnership between Simon Lambert (78*) and Dylan Budge (43*).
In reply 24 off 18 from Damon Egan got the Aboriginal XI off to a flyer before some tight bowling from John Stephenson and James Letchford slowed the scoring rate dramatically in the middle overs.
Enter skipper Dan Christian, fresh from playing for the Delhi Daredevils in the IPL, who with strong support from Jonte Pattison (27) belted 78 not out off just 53 balls including winning the game with ten runs off the first two balls of the 20th over.
The Aboriginal cricket team of 1868 – Bripumyarrimin is at the front on the left, with his leg on the chair.
Tomorrow both the men’s and women’s squads will visit London’s Meath Garden’s the place of rest of Bripumyarrimin (King Cole) the player who passed away on tour in 1868.
Attention will then turn to Thursday when both teams play Surrey at The Oval.
Full results of Aboriginal XI Men v MCC Match one available HERE
Full results of Aboriginal XI Men v MCC Match two available HERE
