Australian players to tour Gallipoli

The Australian one-day international squad will visit the battlefields of Gallipoli in May on-route to their tour of the United Kingdom, paying homage to the thousands of Australian service men and women killed in the Great War.

The squad, which will be guests of the Australian Defence Force, is scheduled to arrive in Turkey on 27 May and will visit historic landmarks such as ANZAC Cove, Shrapnel Valley, Lone Pine and The Nek.

History indicates cricket played a significant role throughout the battle at Gallipoli, with social matches played to maintain soldier morale.

The three-day trip is an initiative of Lieutenant General Peter Cosgrove, AC, MC Australian Chief of Army, Australian Cricket Board (ACB) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Malcolm Speed and Australian Captain Stephen Waugh.

Malcolm Speed said the trip to Gallipoli would form an important part of the ACB's on-going player education program.

"I hope this exercise is able to teach our players about what it means to be Australian, and the privileged position they hold in representing their country."

"The young men who fought at Gallipoli weren't recruited on specific talents, they were just everyday Australians who were honoured to be fighting for Australia."