Aboriginal XI squads have visited London’s Meath Garden’s to pay respect to Bripumyarrimin (King Cole), a member of the historic Aboriginal XI that toured the UK in 1868.
King Cole played seven matches on tour in 1868 before tragically falling ill and passing away during that tour. He was laid to rest in Victoria Park Cemetery (which, years later, became Meath Gardens).
Following the ceremony both squads joined the Australian men’s ODI team at Lord’s Cricket Ground where they shared stories about their culture and the significance of commemorating the 1868 pioneers who became the first sporting team from Australia to tour internationally.
Incredible to see the #Australian #Aboriginal flag flying over Meath Gardens in #TowerHamlets today. @CricketAus #Indigenous young women and men commemorating cricketer Bripumyarrimin (King Cole) pic.twitter.com/B0EBWyvR6Z
— Dr Geordan Shannon (@GeordanShannon) June 6, 2018
The event in Meath Gardens was attended by the full men’s and women’s Aboriginal XI squads, the Australian High Commissioner His Excellency the Honourable George Brandis, The Mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs, the Friends of Meath Gardens and a large contingent of local residents.
School children from three neighbouring schools also attended and got to learn the story and join in a cricket clinic run by the ECB and Indigenous squads.
The commemoration in the Gardens included speeches by Aboriginal mentor Peter Cooley and cricketer Tyran Liddiard (who is representing Bripumyarrimin /King Cole during the tour) as well as representatives of the three organising bodies and an exchange of gifts.
A new, comprehensive information panel was also unveiled at the site, close to the eucalyptus tree trunk and plaque that was laid in Meath Gardens during a previous visit by an Australian Indigenous team in 1988 (the Australian Bicentenary). This took place also, while the pupils from local schools.
The Aboriginal XI squads paid tribute to 1868 squad member Bripumyarrimin, also known as King Cole, at a special ceremony in London #walkaboutwickets pic.twitter.com/v8Ipxc2Lxz
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) June 7, 2018
At Lord’s players from all three teams ate lunch together in the Lord’s dining room before gathering in the away changerooms to reflect on the legacy of the 1868 team who played at that very ground 150 years ago, a decade before the 1878 Australian Cricket team tour that gave rise to test cricket.
Ashleigh Gardner and D’Arcy Short shared the stories of their journeys through the Indigenous pathway to the national team before Justin Langer spoke about his pride in bringing three national teams together at the home of cricket.
The day was concluded with photos on the field of play and a tour of the temporary display in the Lord’s museum dedicated to the 1868 tour.
