Black dominant as Sixers, Thunder split First Nations T20 Cup

Callan Morse Published February 28, 2025 at 4.05pm (AWST)

Sport

Callee Black struck 10 boundaries on her way to a game-high 50 (26) for the Sydney Thunder in the First Nations Cup on Wednesday. (Image Sydney Thunder)

Indigenous sides representing Sydney's T20 franchises have split the First Nations T20 Cup, with the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder each walking away with wins on Wednesday.

The Sixers and Thunder's men's and women's sides clashed first on Dharug Country at Blacktown International Sports Park, The Thunder comfortable winners in a low scoring affair after a dominating innings from Thunder no. 3 Callee Black.

Black scored an unbeaten 50 (26), retiring after striking 10 boundaries to see the Thunder chase down the Sixers modest 4/87 after 11 overs.

Opener Tammie Crocker (16* from 29) was solid in the pair's 63-run second wicket partnership.

The Thunder's emphatic victory came after the Sixers won the toss and elected to bat, posting a miserly 4/87 from their 20 overs.

Experienced opener and former Australian Indigenous representative Roxsanne Van-Veen top scored for the Sixers with a patient 26 (44).

Double figure contributions came from Piper Hooke (11 from 8), and middle order batters Tayah Mcvittie (15 from 33) and Zoe Fleming (12* from 21).

Wickets were shared across the Thunder attack, which saw New South Wales National Indigenous Cricket Championships representatives Aimee Ravot (1/14) and Taleah Urszulak (1/16) deliver economical spells.

The Sixers bounced back in the men's fixture, defeating their cross town rivals by six runs.

Again batting first after winning the toss, the Sixers posted 7/107 on the back of 26 (42) from opener Raymond Steadman and 25 (22) from Brett Russell.

In response, opener James Brittnell wasted no time, striking four boundaries and a six to top scored with 28 (19), however a steady flow of wickets saw the Thunder unable to sustain momentum throughout the chase.

Tight overs from Flynn Taylor (2/8) and Rees Gibson (2/13) saw the Thunder stumble through the chase, contributions from Marty Jeffrey (16 from 25) Byron Taylor (15 from 28) and Riley Ingram (15* from 25) seeing the Thunder fall short by six runs.

The First Nations T20 Cup celebrates cricket, culture, and community while showcasing some of New South Wales' top First Nations Cricketers.

In alignment with the Cricket NSW's Reconciliation Action Plan, the Cup aims to increase opportunities for Indigenous peoples in both elite cricket and community cricket pathways.

The fixtures were held the same day as the Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades Indigenous XI's met at St Kilda's CitiPower Centre.