Melbourne's Big Bash League-aligned Indigenous sides split honours in their return after two years in Naarm, although players and coaches felt the day was about more than cricket.
The Stars and Renegades held back-to-back T20 fixtures at Shield ground and Cricket Victoria headquarters, St Kilda's CitiPower Centre on Wednesday.
Ngampiaa allrounder and Stars skipper Wade King hit a quickfire 83 (50) in the first match of the day, which alongside a 36-run contribution from Jakob Devine set up a competitive Stars total of 4/175.
The men in green then went on to restrict the Renegades to 6/148 for a 27-run win.
King, a 2024 National Indigenous Cricket Championships (NICC) men's team of the tournament selection, previous tournament bowling award winner and national Indigenous side representative told National Indigenous Times it was great preparation for the upcoming campaign in Mackay.
"This is more about coming together... meeting blokes from different backgrounds and just getting to know one another," King said.
"It also is a bit of a trial for bigger things, such as the Victorian Indigenous side of the NICCs.
"It is a lot more than just a game of cricket. We're out there for three hours, but we're here for the whole day, bonding with teammates from all over the joint.
"So I reckon there's plenty more take out of it."
From those who have pulled on national colours, district cricketers to local competition players, it was an opportunity to mix with a cultural lens on one of the country's best decks and facilities.
Renegades coach Barry Neivandt, who has headed Victoria's Indigenous team and has previously been an assistant coach in the Australian women's national side, said it's a "magnificent" opportunity to play on the day.
"It's everything," Neivandt said. "I think the cricket brings us together, but it's more.
"It's about the cultural connectivity, meeting new people, friends...cultural learning, and sharing that learning."
Neivandt's side responded in the second game.
Brenden Miller posted the day's top score of 84 in the Renegades' innings after some top order troubles, with Stars duo Fletcher Morgan and Joshua Ward each taking three wickets with the ball.
Connor Jackson was the Stars best, hitting 38 to see the Stars post 151.
The Renegades hit 179 in response, with both sides batting out their 20 overs.
"It's cool. I don't get to play on Junction Oval very often," Miller said between matches.
"I think cricket's not the main focus for the day with these sort of things."
Stars coach Jamie Jewiss told National Indigenous Times "it doesn't get any better" to get out at the ground for those involved.
Some of the players are ordinarily plying their trade on synthetic pitches, he said.
Jewiss was glad for the opportunity to get the two sides out there - the state's cricketing body helping allow the day to take shape.
Cricket Victoria community engagement manager Kaitlyn Frawley said it was a great lead-in to the NICCs, and also "trying to strengthen and grow the program for our Victorian team".
Fellow cross-town rivals Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder's men's and women's Indigenous sides were also scheduled to compete in the First Nations T20 Cup at Blacktown International Sports Park on Wednesday.
