Remembrance Day activities during first Orange Test
Australia's Test cricketers will remember the sacrifice of those who have died for Australia in war, when the first Orange Test against England begins in Brisbane this Thursday (7 November).
As part of a joint-initiative between the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) and the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL), the match will involve a number of activities to commemorate Remembrance Day, which falls during the course of the match (11 November).
Prior to the start of play on day one, Australian captain Stephen Waugh will recite the traditional Remembrance Day reading, The Ode, written by Laurence Binyon, after which both teams will observe a minute's silence. At that moment, the Last Post will be played.
Other Remembrance Day activities include the presentation of the inaugural Spirit of ANZAC Medal, an award designed to recognise the player from either side that best embodies certain ANZAC traits.
"The Spirit of ANZAC medal will not necessarily reward the best player on the ground, but the player from either side that demonstrates the ANZAC traits of courage, mateship, team work, sportsmanship and humour," said RSL President Major General Peter Phillips.
"It is very apt that a match between two cricketing foes, yet two wartime allies, should commemorate such an important part of history," he said.
A voting-panel comprising of former Queensland player, selector and ex-serviceman, Ernie Toovey, former Australian captain and Australian of the Year Mark Taylor and International Cricket Council Match Referee Wasim Raja, will decide the award winner.
Mr Toovey will present the award at the conclusion of the match.
Patrons attending the Test will also be able to purchase Remembrance Day poppies from one of several RSL volunteers outside The Gabba on the first morning of play, or throughout the match at any one of five official ACB merchandise outlets inside the ground.
ACB Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said cricket's privileged position in Australian culture made the Test match a suitable forum to commemorate an occasion as important as Remembrance Day.
"The first Orange Test at The Gabba has at different times coincided with Remembrance Day, with players marking the minute's silence at 11 o'clock," Mr Sutherland said.
"Although players will observe the minute's silence again at 11 o'clock this year should the Test reach the 11th of November, the ACB felt it could do more to honour the day, given cricket's wartime significance.
"In doing so we feel very proud to be entering into this partnership with the RSL.
"I encourage cricket patrons to embrace the Remembrance Day activities, and in particular to buy a poppy during the Test match," he said.
The Spirit of ANZAC Medal has been produced by Unibic.
© 2002 Australian Cricket Board
| Teams | Australia. |
| Players/Umpires | Steve Waugh, Ernest Toovey, Mark Taylor, Wasim Raja, James Sutherland. |
| Grounds | Brisbane Cricket Ground, Woolloongabba, Brisbane |
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