SQUADS NAMED: next-gen of Indigenous stars head to border for T20 cup

Callan Morse Published March 31, 2023 at 8.00am (AWST)

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The Melbourne Stars, Melbourne Renegades, Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder's Indigenous squads will return to Albury for this weekend's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander T20 Cup. Image: supplied.

The Indigenous squads representing four Big Bash League franchises are preparing to compete for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander T20 cup, which begins on Wiradjuri Country in Albury today.

Four men's and three women's teams representing the Melbourne Stars, Melbourne Renegades, Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder along with a Cricket Victoria women's squad will clash in the tournament, showcasing the upcoming Indigenous cricket talent from Australia's south-east.

They include Essendon Cricket Club's Bailey Toseland, who is one of four players aged under-18 in the Renegades squad.

The rising star recently represented Victoria Metro at this season's Under 17 National Championships whilst also playing for Victoria at the recent National Indigenous Cricket Championships (NICC), his performance earning him selection in the National Men's Indigenous squad set to tour Vanuatu in May.

After averaging 35 with the bat and 15 with the ball at this year's NICC, Bailey Toseland (3rd right) will represented the Melbourne Renegades in the Cup. Image: Chris Hyde/Cricket Australia via Getty Images.

Alongside Toseland the Renegades squad includes four Victorian NICC members in total, with Alexandra Cricket Club's Jacob Bourke, Old Carey Cricket Club's Joshua Devine and Altona Sports Cricket Club's Ryan Donovan also selected in the squad comprised of players from metropolitan and regional Victoria.

Fresh after taking a tournament-high 18 wickets at this year's NICC, Wade King highlights the Melbourne Stars squad.

The Victorian captain is joined by fellow Victorian NICC representatives Lachlan Jackson, Bohdie Jones, Shaun McAndrew, Josh Nanson and Tyler Nanson, with the team to be coached by proud Wiradjuri man Jamie Jewiss.

"It's an honour to coach the Melbourne Stars Indigenous side for the second time this year," Jewiss said.

Brothers Tyler and Josh Nanson will switch navy for green after being selected in the Stars squad. Image: Chris Hyde/Cricket Australia via Getty Images.

"We formed so many connections last year and it's great to see so many of the guys back this year, you could see the emotion from a lot of the younger boys who are still learning about their families and their histories.

"Hopefully we can have a successful tournament and can go one better this year."

The Sydney Sixers men's and women's teams are stacked with talented players who represented New South Wales at this year's NICC.

They include Lesley Smith, Jack Hartigan and Austyn Nugent, who all featured in New South Wales' championship winning team that secured a record four-peat at this year's tournament.

Longtime New South Wales representative Roxsanne Van-Veen will bolster the Sixers squad. Image: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images.

Piper Hooke, Aili Martin, Mackenzie Keeler, and Roxsanne Van-Veen will also represent the Sixers after donning the sky blue for New South Wales in Alice Springs.

The Sixers will draw on the experience of Van-Veen, an ex-Australian Indigenous international whilst Piper Hooke will also feature in Sixers magenta after her form at this year's national championships earned her selection in the National Women's Indigenous squad.

The Thunder's women's squad will be no easy beats, with 16-year-old Wiradjuri woman, Callee Black and Dharawal/Wadi Wadi woman Taleha Urszulak both selected for the Thunder.

After strong NICC tournaments with New South Wales, the pair's form at national championship level also lead to their selection in the National Women's Indigenous squad.

Callee Black will represent the Sydney Thunder at the Cup. Image: Chris Hyde/Cricket Australia.

They will be joined by fellow New South Wales teammates in Wiradjuri pair, leg-spinner Aimee Ravot and experienced NICC campaigner Julie Muir.

The Thunder's men's squad also boasts some notable inclusions with two of New South Wales' most experienced NICC representatives in Pat Rosser and Damien Duroux included in the squad.

They will lead a young side which includes New South Wales NICC representatives, proud Dharawal man Jacob Murphy and proud Yuin man Kealon Blattner.

A combined Cricket Victoria women's team will also participate in the 10-game tournament, with finals to be played on Sunday.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander T20 Cup - men's fixture

Sydney Sixers v Sydney Thunder, Friday March 31, 3pm at Billson Park.

Melbourne Stars v Melbourne Renegades, Friday March 31, 3pm at Alexandra Park.

Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Renegades, Saturday April 1, 10am at Bethanga Cricket Ground.

Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Stars, Saturday April 1, 10am at Billson Park.

Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Stars, Saturday April 1, 2:30pm at Bethanga Cricket Ground.

Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Renegades, Saturday April 1, 2:3pm at Billson Park.

Final: 1st v 2nd, Sunday April 2, 10am at Billson Park.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander T20 Cup - women's fixture

Sydney Sixers v Sydney Thunder, Saturday April 1, 9:30am at Kiewa Cricket Ground.