MEDIA RELEASE
November 6, 2010
Australian Cricket Legends Bowl Up Some Memories
for Charity on P&O Cruises’ Oriana
Some of Australia’s greatest cricketing legends -
including Neil Harvey and Alan Davidson –
were
reunited at a special charity event onboard P&O Cruises UK’s Oriana in Brisbane today to reminisce
about an era when the world’s top players spent months travelling to their Test Matches by sea.
The players were all members of the 1961 test team -
the last Australian cricket team
to cruise on a
P&O Cruises ship to the UK for a Test Series, before the introduction of mass air travel saw players start
to fly to their games.
Today five of the team – Vice Captain Neil Harvey, Bob Simpson, Alan Davidson, Brian Booth and Frank
Misson – shared their memories of their travelling days at a lunch onboard Oriana, supporting the charity
Movember.
Almost 50 years after their Australia-UK voyage, the players tried the superliner’s cricket nets on her top
decks and posed for a photo beneath a 20 metre-wide moustache, worn by the ship in honour of the
charity Movember. Movember is an official charity partner of Cricket Australia, raising funds and
awareness for men’s health.
Renowned Australian Test batsman Michael Slater acted as MC for the charity lunch, attended by 150
cricket fans.
Launched in 1995 by her Majesty the Queen, 69,000-tonne Oriana was the first cruise ship purpose-built
for the British cruise market and is a favourite in both the UK and Australia. Oriana features a three tier
atrium with a Tiffany glass ceiling, a panoramic Crow’s Nest bar, the aptly themed Lord’s Tavern sports
bar and Oriana Rhodes, a restaurant by British celebrity chef, Gary Rhodes.
Oriana arrived in Brisbane from Sydney this morning and will sail to the Whitsundays and Cairns this
evening.
P&O Cruises Managing Director Carol Marlow said she was delighted to welcome the players onboard
for the charity event.
“Cruising and cricket are two of the great traditions that bond Australia and England,” Ms Marlow said.
“For decades, P&O Cruises’ ships carried players from both countries’ cricket teams back and forth
across the oceans for Test Matches that captivated us all.
“Almost 50 years after we carried the last Australian cricket team to sail to the UK, it is fantastic to have
so many members of that team back on our ships again - and for such a worthwhile cause,” Ms Marlow
said.
Cricket Australia Chairman Jack Clarke celebrated the occasion and the reunion of the 1961 team.
“It’s a great opportunity to acknowledge the historical import of the 1961 Australian team and their
journey to England nearly 50 years ago,” Mr Clarke said.
“We’re delighted that members of the 1961 team accepted the opportunity to celebrate their voyage to
England and help raise funds and awareness for men’s health via Cricket Australia’s official charity
partner, Movember.
“It is especially fitting that members of the team relive their series win in England in 1961 on the eve of
the highly anticipated Ashes series in Australia.”
The 1961 team sailed to England from Fremantle on March 21, 1961 on the P&O liner Himalaya,
travelling via Colombo, where they played a one-day match against Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Australia
won the five-Test series in England 2-1.
Oriana is one of seven ships in the UK based P&O Cruises fleet, which is tailored to those who enjoy a
British cruise experience. As the trusted cruise experts, having established cruising over 170 years ago,
P&O Cruises offers genuine service, a sense of occasion and attention to detail ensuring passengers
have a holiday of a lifetime, every time.
Oriana is one of three P&O Cruises ships to visit Australia on a world voyage this season. Aurora and
Arcadia will call at a range of Australian ports in February.
Media information:
Libby Moffet/Larissa Kaye
MG Media Communications
02 9904 0011
NEWS 
