Johnny Mullagh

Who was Johnny Mullagh?

Johnny Mullagh was a leading Victorian cricketer who led the famous 1868 Aboriginal cricket tour of England. He was a skilful all-rounder, being a right arm bowler and right-handed batsman.

Born Unaarrimin, a member of the Jardwadjali people, on Mullagh Station, about sixteen kilometres north of Harrow, Victoria, Mullagh learned to play cricket whilst working on the adjoining Pine Hills agricultural property. He was given the name "Black Johnny" to distinguish him from a "White Johnny".

Mullagh played 47 matches on the 1868 England tour, scoring 1698 runs at an average of around 20 on pitches that were often treacherous. He also bowled 1877 overs, 831 of which were maidens, and took 245 wickets at 10 apiece. If this weren't enough, he would occasionally don wicket-keeping gloves, achieving four stumpings.

Few contemporary cricketers better merited the title of all-rounder. His performances were impressive enough for him to join the Melbourne Cricket Club as a professional, although he did not remain there for long.

Nineteenth century Australia witnessed severe discrimination against indigenous peoples.