Promising young Queensland Indigenous athletes will gain valuable exposure next week as Cricket Australia announce a range of initiatives around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cricket.
Young Talent Unveiled
Norths batsman Cruz Baker, currently playing in the Taverners Queensland under-17 competition, and clubmate Jacob Turner, an allrounder who is also a nationally ranked javelin thrower, have been named in the men's squad after being part of the Queensland men's team that competed at the National Indigenous Championships earlier this year in Alice Springs.
Cloncurry product Grace Abdy (pictured in action for Queensland) is one of four maroons in the women's squad along with Holland Park junior Kameryn Bray (Wests), Valley captain Christina Coulson and Wynnum-Manly allrounder Clodagh Ryall. Abdy is playing Premier Cricket for Valley in Brisbane this summer.
Queensland won the National women's title for the first time last season.
The players were chosen from the 2022-23 edition of the NICC and will train and play at the MCG from October 31 to November 2 as as part of the partnership between CA and the MCC Foundation.
The camp will include T20 matches between the Indigenous men’s and women’s teams and MCC XIs on November 1.
The National Indigenous Cricket Championships will be contested in Alice Springs from Feb 22-27, 2024.
2023-24 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island training camp squads:
Men's squad: Cruz Baker (QLD), Hayden Collins (WA), Max Farmer (NSW), Cody Hoffmeister (WA), Max Ireland (WA), Brandon Kopper (TAS), Brock Larance (WA), Josh Nanson (VIC), Kobe Ross (NSW), Lesley Smith (NSW), Blake Smith (NSW), Ben Spinks (TAS), Bailey Toseland (VIC), Jacob Turner (QLD).
Women's squad: Grace Abdy (QLD), Callee Black (NSW), Kameryn Bray (QLD), Dharmini Chauhan (NSW), Christina Coulson (QLD), Rikki Garlett (WA), Lara Graham (NSW), Merinda Hale (VIC), Piper Hooke (NSW), Veronica Keen (WA), Destiny Mippy (WA), Aimee Ravot (NSW), Clodagh Ryall (QLD), Charlotte Toohey (WA).
Meanwhile the Big Bash leagues will again honour First Nations culture this summer, starting with the Weber WBBL early next month when Perth Scorchers host the Adelaide Strikers at the WACA Ground.
Dedicated matches will be held throughout both tournaments, with the WBBL|09 First Nations games to be played across the country between November 5-24.
Every club will host a match throughout that period showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and ceremony, including the barefoot circle, Welcome to Country and the incorporation of local languages.
Players will continue to wear uniforms designed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, each with their own unique stories connected to the traditional lands of each club.
Each club will have new-look playing kit this season that will be unveiled over the coming weeks.
Details of the KFC BBL First Nations matches will be confirmed closer to the men's season starting.
WBBL|09 First Nations Round games
Nov 5: Scorchers v Strikers, Whadjuk Country: WACA Ground
Nov 10: Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Stars, Cammeraygal Country: North Sydney Oval
Nov 10: Sydney Sixers v Hobart Hurricanes, Cammeraygal Country: North Sydney Oval
Nov 17: Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Renegades, Yugara Country: Allan Border Field
Nov 19: Melbourne Renegades v Hobart Hurricanes, Boon Wurrung Country: CitiPower Centre
Nov 19: Melbourne Stars v Brisbane Heat, Boon Wurrung Country: CitiPower Centre
Nov 23: Hobart Hurricanes v Melbourne Renegades, Palawa Country: Blundstone Arena
Nov 24: Adelaide Strikers v Perth Scorchers, Kaurna Country: Adelaide Oval