The Kangaroos, the Wallabies, the Socceroos, the Matildas, the Boomers, the Diamonds… the list goes on. Australian sporting teams all have names, but why not the cricket team?
It’s a tradition through nearly every sport in every country around the world.
Everyone has a team mascot, an animal or a symbol of the city, something that represents that team and creates an identity for the fan base and the team itself to get behind.
History and pride live off the symbol of a team, just look at the Wallabies jersey or the green and gold of the Kangaroos.
But cricket has fallen behind.
State cricket in Australia had begun to work naming into their sides with classics such as the SA Redbacks, the Warriors from Western Australia and the absolute mouthful that was the New South Wales SpeedBlitz Blues.
While the introduction of franchise teams in the IPL and Big Bash League closer to home has highlighted the idea of names, mascots, and chants into the game, the international level is still lacking.
Some of our key animals may have already been taken by other codes, but Australia has an abundance of iconic animals to choose from.
Emu? Echidna? Koala? Bilby… the Kangawallafoxes?
It doesn’t even have to be an animal, just look at the women’s netball team, the Diamonds.
The Australian public has been denied a nickname to drunkenly yell out after a few too many tinnies out on the hill during the third day of a Test match.
How much better would the infamous Bay 13 at the MCG be if they could belt out a proud national icon or a name that represents the side they love?
Australia isn’t alone though, cricket in general is a bit patchy with names.
England have the Barmy Army or Three Lions. Bangladesh is often called the Tigers while New Zealand gets the Black Caps.
South Africa are often branded as the Proteas, but that’s a term used in most of their sporting landscape.
India is without a common name as is Pakistan.
Maybe Australia can be at the forefront of a new era in team names. It’s that or sponsorship will take over and we’ll end up with the Bunnings Warehouse Australian Sausage Sizzle cricket team.
I can’t say I’d complain about that one though.
So what should the Australian cricket team be called? Give us your best suggestions.
Ants32
Roar Rookie
Matilda was the nickname given to the "swag" a Swagman carried. Matildas was also the common name for all women. Much as Sheilas was used in the middle of last century. :/
Ken (Sava) Lloyd
Guest
Cricketers have lost the fundamentals,such as Forward Defence,Backward defence,THE way Voges and Ferguson lost their wickets shows a lack of skills. And If I hear another Cricket commentator say that letting the ball go through to the keeper "Is A good Leave or shot" come on . That is why 20-20 is good to watch ,the Batsman have to attempt to hit every bowl. Back to basics starting from juniors. More Young players being blooded in Sheffield Shield,Matador Cup ,even Test Teams.And put Test players on a Win ,Lose pay system. Sava Lloyd
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
The Galahs The Bilbies
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Given the increasingly regular batting collapses, how about "The Muskateers" - One for All and All out for One...
Ken (Sava) Lloyd
Guest
After the good innings by Steve Smith ,It just goes to show that when you stop spitting on your hands you can play cricket. Sava Lloyd
MAYRON
Guest
No, The Fairies", "Fairies at the Bottom of Garden" or "Smith's Deadbeats" are all more appropriate. Surely after this Smith MUST resign the Captaincy & Voges and Starc MUST retire from test cricket!!!
MAYRON
Guest
How about "The Fairies", the way they bat???
MAYRON
Guest
How about "Smith's Losers!!" Smith is a talented batsman, but an abominable captain!
Ken (Sava) Lloyd
Guest
Amrit Bandy. The Stars bit is a bit tarnished at the moment,more like the Golden Treackles. Sava
Amrit
Roar Guru
I would say the Gold Stars , with the green and gold merchandise and five World Cup trophies, that would be apt
Mark
Guest
the Platypuses? or is that Platypi? And what is a Matilda?
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
The misused apostrophe suits that team name well.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
What colours to go to tho? If we go with our indigenous routes and colours from the flag we then look like Germany. We will probably always clash with some other nation in terms of colouring.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Depends on what statistics you are using, but my point still stands.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
I didn't say they were the only global sports out there, I just said that they were some of our most popular sports, and they are global, not discounting any others like kabbadi, badmington, basketball (which we are good at as well), ten pin bowling and ice hockey. Chill out abit.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
the artist formally known as the Australian Cricket team?
Timbo
Guest
How about the 'upthemselveseroos'?
Chinmay Hejmadi
Roar Guru
I too felt that the Aussie cricket team was called the "Baggy Greens". Seems pretty apt too. Indian media would, like a decade ago or so, call our team the Men in Blue, but that is again something they would call teams from most sports, like hockey for example. Then a few years back they started calling them "Team India" which I found pretty odd/pointless. I think they still refer to us as "Team India". So yeah, if you're looking for inspiring team names, don't look at us.
Morgan Reimers
Guest
The Eucalypts because nothing makes Australia bluer
Rats
Guest
"Sulky Champions" Sulky - Aussie captains always sulk when they lose. They hate losing. Punter's sullen face... Smith has got the same face when team loses. Champs - Ahead of all other teams in Tests and ODI format when it comes to success all these years. The next best team has lots of catching up to do. So it is more like champions for ever when it comes to cricket..