Indigenous cricket talents set to converge on the ‘G for inaugural training camp, T20 fixtures

Callan Morse Published October 27, 2023 at 11.30am (AWST)

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Queensland's Cruz Baker and New South Wales' Callee Black have been selected in Cricket Australia's Indigenous squads to train and play at the MCG. (Images: Chris Hyde - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

Some of Australia's emerging Indigenous cricket talents will converge on the Melbourne Cricket Ground next week for the inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander training camp.

A component of the partnership struck between Cricket Australia and the Melbourne Cricket Club Foundation last year, the camp will be attended by players selected from the National Indigenous Cricket Championships (NICC), which was held in Alice Springs in February.

The 14-player men's and women's squads consist of players who delivered outstanding performances at last season's NICC, some earning selection to tour Vanuatu as part of the Men's and Women's Australian Indigenous teams in May.

Australian representatives selected in the men' squad include Palawa quicks Cody Hoffmeister and Brandon Kopper, Taungurung bowler Bailey Toseland, Biripi allrounder Brock Larance and Kaiwalagal batter Kobe Ross.

Ross (154 runs at 30.80) was New South Wales' highest run scorer at the NICC in 2023, the middle order batter playing a key role in the state's record breaking fourth consecutive tournament win.

Tearaway quick Brandon Kopper, a second generation Tasmanian Indigenous XI representative, has also earned selection in the squad, after taking nine wickets at an average of just 13.22 at last season's Championships.

*Bailey Toseland (second left) is one of two Victorian representatives in the men's squad. (Image: Chris Hyde - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)*

The women's squad also features multiple Australian representatives, including Wiradjuri batter Callee Black, Kaurareg spinner Christina Coulson, Yorta Yorta allrounder Merinda Hale, Badimia batter Veronica Keen, Charlotte Toohey and Clodah Ryall, who has Thursday Island heritage.

16-year-old Keen was the standout with the bat in the women's division of the NICC, scoring 235 runs at 58.50, winning the women's division batting award and Player of the Championships.

Her strong form at both National Championships and premier league level in Western Australia lead to her recent selection as an inaugural recipient of the Western Australian Cricket Foundation's Hayward Aboriginal Scholarship, alongside fellow squad representative Hayden Collins.

The five day camp will include training and cultural activities, with both squads set to play a Melbourne Cricket Club invitational XI on the hallowed turf of the MCG in T20 fixtures on Wednesday.

Longtime New South Wales men's coach Jeff Cook will be at the helm of the men's squad, with Queensland stalwart Ash Renouf coaching the women's side.

Julian Weiner, who represented Australia 13 times in Test and one-day internationals between 1979 and 1980 will act as assistant coach of both squads.

*Veronica Keen was selected in the women's squad after dominating with the bat at the 2023 National Indigenous Cricket Championships. (Image: Chris Hyde - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)*

The five day camp will include training and cultural activities, with both squads set to play a Melbourne Cricket Club invitational XI on the hallowed turf of the MCG in T20 fixtures on Wednesday.

Cricket Australia said the partnership with the MCC Foundation and the camp is part of the sports governing body's commitment to increase the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players and inspire Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to love and play cricket.

"CA reaffirms its commitment to the ongoing journey of reconciliation and to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are included and represented in all aspects of cricket," Cricket Australia Chief Executive, Nick Hockley said.

In announcing the camp's squads, Cricket Australia also announced additional First Nations initiatives that will feature throughout season 2023-24.

"Initiatives including the WBBL First Nations matches, the National Indigenous Cricket Championships and the MCG training camp are just some of the practical initiatives that will create ways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians to find common ground and connect through cricket," Mr Hockley said.

Cricket Australia also confirmed the 2024 National Indigenous Cricket Championships will again be contested in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) from February 22-27, 2024.

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 Abdee (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), Clodah Ryall (QLD), Charlotte Toohey (WA).