Photo Credit: Sydney Thunder
This summer’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander T20 Cup to be held on Wiradjuri land in Albury Wodonga from January 11-14, 2022
Sydney Thunder has announced its men’s and women’s teams for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander T20 Cup to be held on Wiradjuri land in Albury Wodonga from January 11–14, 2022.
Originally scheduled for late November but rescheduled due to COVID-related border restrictions, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander T20 Cup combines cricket and culture in a multi-day experience for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cricketers from across New South Wales representing Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers. This year, the event will also feature invitational teams representing the Melbourne Renegades (men’s), Melbourne Stars (men’s) and Cricket Victoria (women’s).
First commencing in 2015, this summer’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander T20 Cup will appropriately take place during the inaugural BBL First Nations round being played between January 8–14.
Coaching and mentoring the Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander T20 Cup teams will be Kerry Marshall, NSW women’s Indigenous Coach and Jeff Cook, NSW men’s Indigenous Coach, with the latter talking about the opportunity this event presents First Nations cricketers.
“The initiative of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander T20 Cup is to identify and give young players an opportunity to represent NSW in the National Indigenous Cricket Championships and further develop as a player and person,” Cook said.
“It is pleasing to have many players return and play in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander T20 Cup, as well as new young cricketing talent enter the program. I am looking forward to seeing all the players showcase their skills and create new and old friendships within both teams.”
The Sydney Thunder Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men’s and women’s XI’s are proudly supported by Homestar Finance, who are entering their fourth season of supporting the initiative.
“Homestar Finance are thrilled to continue our support for the Australian sporting community, and in particular our association with Sydney Thunder Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander T20 Teams,” said Mandy Sly, Homestar General Manager – Operations.
“We want to support, encourage and empower Australian youth and athletic initiatives – as we believe that sport has an outstanding ability to create positive, lasting change for the communities involved.”
Sydney Thunder Men’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Team (supported by Homestar Finance)
| Name | Mob | Cricket Club |
| Yarran Fair-Townsend | Kamilaroi/Biripi | Campbelltown Camden District Cricket Club |
| Jacob Murphy | Dharawal | Campbelltown Camden District Cricket Club |
| James Whiting | Waradjuri | Blacktown Mounties District Cricket Club |
| Luke Jones | Eora | Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemen’s Cricket Club |
| Jack McDonald | Wiradjuri | Wollongong Universities |
| Ethan Fitzpatrick (C) | Ngunnawal | Ginninderra Cricket Club |
| Daniel Dellow | Wiradjuri | Norwest Sydney Hurricanes |
| Brayden Wilson | Dharug | Mounties Cricket Club |
| Blake Smith | Wiradjuri | Campbelltown Camden District Cricket Club |
| Kealan Blattner | Yuin | Bomaderry Cricket Club |
| Joey Towerton | Kamilaroi | St George Cricket Club |
*Teams subject to change.
Ethan Fitzpatrick, who plays for Ginninderra Cricket Club in Belconnen (ACT), has been named as the captain for the Sydney Thunder men’s team for this year’s Cup.
“I am proud to be announced captain of the Sydney Thunder Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander team in this early stage of my career. Being given this opportunity to lead, not just a cricket team, but also my people, fills me with great pride and enjoyment,” he said.
“I love that this initiative is focussed on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and gives us opportunities to demonstrate our skills and abilities, whilst bringing us together to share our stories.”
Sydney Thunder Women’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Team (supported by Homestar Finance)
| Name | Mob | Cricket Club |
| Julie Muir (C) | Wiradjuri | Western Zone |
| Maddison Spence | Wiradjuri | Penrith Cricket Club |
| Aimee Ravot | Wiradjuri | Penrith Cricket Club |
| Naomi Woods | Kamilaroi | St George-Sutherland Women’s Cricket Club |
| Amali McNeill | Wiradjuri | Dubbo Rugby Junior Cricket Club |
| Dharmini Chauhan | Wiradjuri | Bankstown Sports Women’s Cricket Club |
| Callee Black | Wiradjuri | Bathurst Bushrangers Cricket Club/Penrith Cricket Club |
| Jordan Cooper | Koori | Gundagai District Cricket Association |
| Lauren Woods | Kamilaroi | Wollongong District Cricket Club |
| Temeika Wilson | Dharug | Bankstown Sports Women’s Cricket Club |
| Veronica Gordon | Wiradjuri | St George-Sutherland Women’s Cricket Club |
*Teams subject to change.
Highly regarded cricketer and leader, Julie Muir is proud to again be captaining the Sydney Thunder women’s team: “Sydney Thunder is a great organisation to play for. They are very supporting of the Indigenous cricket programs, starting from the grassroots all the way up to the elite level.
“Due to the struggles with COVID around this time last year and again this year, we’re all doing it tough. But there is nothing like getting all your mob together and checking in and supporting each other. There is no better way of doing this then playing the game that we all love and enjoy.”
The Thunder and Sixers men’s teams will play three pool games followed by a final and/or third place play off fixture as the competition consist of four teams. The women’s competition will be contested as a tri-series with each team playing each other once, before a final play-off.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander T20 Cup uses cricket as the vehicle to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and is part of Cricket NSW’s ongoing commitment to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities as outlined in the Cricket NSW Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
Cricket NSW and Sydney Thunder would like to thank the support of Cricket Albury Wodonga, Cricket Victoria and the many officials and volunteers that are helping to deliver this event.
Name of Author: Sydney Thunder
The Sydney Thunder is an Australian professional cricket team competing in the Big Bash League (BBL). Based at Sydney Showground Stadium, the Thunder, along with the Sydney Sixers, succeeded the New South Wales Blues from the defunct KFC Twenty20 Big Bash.
