Buffalo, fish on Aussie plates

The second Test begins in Cairns, North Queensland, on Friday.

The world’s best cricket team mixed with the tiny indigenous community of Milikapiti on Melville Island.

They ate buffalo and wallaby, learnt about Tiwi island culture and went fishing with locals.

‘‘It’s been a real eye-opener for us, to visit an aboriginal community and see the culture and traditions, and the way people live,’’ captain Steve Waugh said.

‘‘It’s something new to us and it’s a great experience.’’

‘‘Australian football is obviously number one here, but I think cricket, the kids here have definitely got potential for cricket,’’ Waugh said.

‘‘I see a lot of talent. I think they probably need a role model and they need people to come up here and to show them how to play the game.’’

Islander Mary Elizabeth Moreen said the community loved to watch international cricket matches on television, but had never played the sport.

‘‘Our children have never ever had cricket in the community. This is the first time,’’ Moreen said.

‘‘They didn’t know about how the game is played. They were all excited and happy.’’

Fast bowler Jason Gillespie, who has aboriginal heritage, said the Australian team could inspire aboriginal talent to come through and play top-level cricket.