Queensland Cricket is gearing up to host a groundbreaking event as the stage is set for the inaugural T20 Harmony Shield. The clash will see the Queensland Men’s Indigenous side take on the Queensland Multicultural XI at Allan Border Field on February 19th, starting from 4:30 pm. This eagerly anticipated encounter comes as a prelude to the National Indigenous Cricket Championships, with the Indigenous Men’s team looking to fine-tune their skills ahead of the main event.
The Multicultural XI is made up of the top 3 players from each side that participated in Queensland Cricket's inaugural Multination Challengers trophy, which saw teams representing India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh battle it out. Pakistan emerged victorious, defeating Nepal in a thrilling grand final showdown before Christmas.
The foundations of the Harmony Shield arose from the Indigenous side's desire to incorporate more match-based training into their pre-tournament preparations. With several debutants set to make their mark, the significance of quality game time cannot be overstated.
Kieren Gibbs, Queensland Cricket’s First Nations Project Officer, who also spent many years within the Queensland Cricket Indigenous pathway was excited about the prospect of the game adding to the squads’ preparations.
“A lot of our players come from across different parts of the state, and in most cases have never players with each other, so being able to get a formal match under our belt will go a long way to shaping how we want to play.” He said.
From a community engagement perspective, the match closely aligns with Cricket Australia’s recently launched Multicultural Action Plan, aimed at nurturing relationships with South Asian communities. Queensland Cricket’s Multicultural Lead, Ashutosh Misra spoke about how the match is looking to build deeper connections to the various Queensland multicultural groups.
“Many of these players would dream about playing cricket on an iconic field like Allan Border Oval, and now they have that opportunity,”
He continued “Providing engagements like the Harmony Shield, brings us closer to these communities and we now have long term plans to start a series of Cricket Blast programs with them to bring through the next generation”.
Adding to the excitement, the Queensland Indigenous women’s team, reigning champions from last year, will also be in action. They will face off against a Queensland Invitational Pathway side, featuring emerging talents from within the state's cricket programs.
Beyond the on-field action, the event promises a exciting atmosphere, with activities for children and some food trucks catering to different tastes. It's poised to become an annual fixture on the cricketing calendar, celebrating culture, diversity and inclusivity within the sport.