His cricket was fierce but 156 summers later, has Australia done justice to Johnny Mullagh?

Sam Konstas' innovative 'ramp' shots in the fourth Test against India pay homage to Johnny Mullagh, the first Indigenous sporting hero who dazzled with similar techniques over 150 years ago.

Historians like DJ Mulvaney highlight that Johnny Mullagh pioneered aggressive batting techniques in cricket, showcasing skills that had been forgotten until recently when modern players like Konstas began to revive them.

Despite Johnny Mullagh's groundbreaking legacy as a cricketer and advocate for Indigenous rights, the ongoing lack of representation of Indigenous Australian players in cricket remains a significant shortcoming.

The Johnny Mullagh Medal, awarded to the best player of the Boxing Day Test, reflects both the historical significance of Mullagh's contributions to cricket and the enduring challenges faced by Indigenous athletes in the sport.

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