Australia are scheduled to take on India in a three-match T20I series. India are scheduled to tour Australia later this month, which also set to including three ODIs, along with four Tests. India are the defending champions of the ODIs and Tests, while the T20Is had ended in a draw.
As the much-hyped Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 comes to an end, the focus would once again shift to international cricket. Later this month, India are scheduled to tour Australia for a complete journey, which is set to include three ODIs and T20Is each, along with four Tests.
The tour would mark the beginning of Australia's home international cricket summer. Consequently, as a part of the tradition, Australia is set to don a new jersey for the T20Is this season.
Earlier on Wednesday, Cricket Australia (CA) launched the new jersey, which Australia would wear during the T20Is against India. The jersey has been named Indigenous, which tells the story of Australia's first-ever overseas tour in 1868 when a group of Aboriginal cricketers played in the United Kingdom for almost three months and were involved in as many as 47 matches.
The jersey has a unique artwork, which is termed Walkabout Wickets. It is designed by Kirrae Whurrong woman Aunty Fiona Clarke, who is the great-granddaughter of Grongarrong (Mosquito), while the latter was also one of the touring members of the side back then.
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Courtney Hagen, Butchulla and Gubbi Gubbi woman and Cricket Australia's Indigenous Engagement Specialist co-designed the shirt. The artwork signifies the past, present and future Aboriginal cricketers, as the large circle represents Lord's, while the smaller ones imply the meeting places during the tour.
"Through the design, we wanted to create something that paid tribute to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cricketers - past, present and future. We've incorporated artwork that symbolises strength, guidance and support through a connection to our ancestors, represented through the stars and the resilience of the 1868 team represented strongly. It was an honour to be able to co-design this shirt with Aunty Fiona," Hagen explained, reports ESPNCricinfo.
"This is a great opportunity for cricket to continue sharing stories about the rich contribution First Nations people have made in the sport, starting with the 1868 Cricket Team as an incredible backbone of all-time sporting history to share and celebrate across the country and globe," she added, reports cricket.com.au.
Seamer Mitchell Starc, who promoted the jersey, said, "The women's team have worn a similar artwork to our one, the Test team have worn the logo on our collars a few times and the WBBL teams have all got it on their guernseys this year, so it's really exciting to have the chance as a men's team to wear our first Indigenous jersey."
The Twitter world reacted to the jersey as well. Here are a few tweets:
New Australian team jersey. Recognises the indigenous people and art of Australia. We too have excellent art with deep meanings that can be taken to the world stage. But it has been ignored due to our self loathing. pic.twitter.com/uvneCrhKgj
— shobhit mathur (@shobweet)I am accepting Christmas gifts from now till further notice.
And this Australian jersey is one of the gifts that I will happily take. https://t.co/Hu2DFWo6GE
Australia will have Diwali rangoli in thier jersey for T20 against India. 😀 pic.twitter.com/0nTpG7GIuA
— Alok Ranjan #DefinitelyNot (@mealokranjan)