Cricket Australia, AFL say they will consult Indigenous communities and experts over allegations of Tom Wills' involvement in Aboriginal massacres

Cricket Australia has expressed its "deep sorrow" for the grief of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people following evidence suggesting early cricketing great and Australian Rules co-founder Tom Wills may have taken part in reprisal massacres of Indigenous people. .

But a startling discovery suggests he took part in the mass murder of Aboriginal people.

Wills also spoke of shooting dead an Aboriginal man who he said had stolen Wills's prized Zingari cricket jacket during the Cullin-la-ringo massacre. .

A statement from Cricket Australia said the organisation was "deeply sorry for the grief this conversation may cause Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people" and said its next steps would be decided by its National Aboriginal Advisory committee.

"We are currently digesting the news that has uncovered evidence suggesting Tom Wills' participation in the mass murder of Gayiri people during the attacks that followed Queensland's Cullin-la-ringo massacre," the Cricket Australia statement said.

"We bear witness to and are deeply sorry for the grief this conversation may cause Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

"We will take some time to work with and be advised by our National Aboriginal Advisory Committee, as well as other experts to consider our next steps.".

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work