The teams to play in an historic cricket match between the Prime Minister's XI and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) Chairman's XI in Canberra on 19 April have been selected.
The Prime Minister and the Chairman of ATSIC are delighted that some members of the Australian Test and one-day teams will be participating in the match, and will take to the field alongside up and coming youngsters in a showcase for national Reconciliation.
They will also be joined by a number of Indigenous sporting, political and television stars including Anthony Mundine, Nova Peris, Senator Aden Ridgeway and Water Rats' Aaron Pederson.
Guest players who will appear for the Prime Minister's XI include the Captain of the Australian women's cricket team, Belinda Clark, Olympic long jump silver medallist Jai Taurima, and former Test player Ashley Mallett.
The Prime Minister and the Chairman of ATSIC said they shared the disappointment of Australian fast bowler, Jason Gillespie, who has been forced to stand-down as the on-field Captain of the Chairman's XI due to injury.
They were very pleased, however, that Mr Gillespie would still attend the match and play a captain's role from off-the-field.
Mr Gillespie will be replaced by a 19-year-old Indigenous fast bowler from Queensland, Glen Martin, who has been a member of the state's youth squad and an attendee at the Pace Australia Cricket Academy coached by Dennis Lillee.
The Prime Minister and the Chairman of ATSIC are anticipating an exciting and memorable match at Canberra's Manuka Oval which in part would commemorate the achievements of the 1868 Aboriginal team -- the first Australian team to tour England.
Mr Clark said he was particularly pleased that for the first time two Indigenous cricketers would be included in the Prime Minister's XI. The cricketers are 25-year-old batsman, Timothy Dann, from Western Australia, and 17-year-old all-rounder, Kevin Thomas, from South Australia.
Timothy Dann's older brother, Clinton, a Perth A-Grade batsman, is also playing at the match as a member of the Chairman's XI.
The Prime Minister's XI, in addition to Australian captain, Steve Waugh, will include Test batsman, Justin Langer, as well as the new member of the one-day team touring India, Nathan Bracken.
The Chairman's XI will reflect the diversity of Indigenous cricket talent around Australia, with players ranging from national and state to regional A-Grade levels.
Mr Clark said he had focussed on the selection of young players in his team to encourage increased Indigenous participation in cricket.
"I want this match to be the start of a process which will see more Indigenous players representing their country once again. We were the first Australian team and I want us back where we belong."
Ticket prices have been kept low to encourage a large turnout at the match with general admission ranging from $2 for children under 15 years of age and $10 for adults. Grandstand seats range upwards from $20. Tickets are available through Ticketek.
All proceeds will go to the Bradman Foundation, a non-profit charitable trust which owns and operates the Bradman Museum in Bowral, NSW, and actively supports the development of the game.
A list of the team members of the Prime Minister's XI and Chairman's XI is attached.
Further details about the team members are available at the web site www.atsic.gov.au
ATTACHMENT: CRICKET TEAMS FOR 19th APRIL
Prime Minister's XI ATSIC Chairman's XI
Steve Waugh (Captain), NSW Jason Gillespie (Captain - non-playing)
Nathan Bracken, NSW Ryan Bulger, SA
Sean Clingeleffer, Tas Jacob Sarra, QLD
Timothy Dann, WA Matthew Bradley, NSW
Mark Higgs, NSW Damien Duroux, NSW
Andrew James, ACT Aaron Hoffman, ACT
Mitchell Johnson, QLD Ian Redpath, Vic
Michael Klinger, Vic Clinton Dann, WA
Justin Langer, WA Craig Trindall, NSW
Shaun Marsh, WA Glen Martin, QLD
Kevin Thomas, SA ATSIC Chairman Geoff Clark
Belinda Clark Senator Aden Ridgeway
Joe Hockey Nova Peris
Ashley Mallett Anthony Mundine
Jai Taurima Aaron Pederson
Kyle Vander-Kuyp
11 April 2001
See: http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/10052/20011121-0000/www.pm.gov.au/news/me…