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BBL clash to feature Indigenous ball

Alex Carey to use Dan Christian's Indigenous-themed bat in game against Scorchers

A specially-designed ball will be used in Saturday’s KFC BBL clash in Adelaide as part of the Indigenous-themed match between the Strikers and Perth Scorchers.

Cricket manufacturer Kookaburra has produced a ‘Thipe Artherrentye-Akngerre’ ball for the match, which is the Arrernte word for Kookaburra. Arrernte are the First Nations People of Alice Springs, where the game was originally to be played before it was moved south due to an unfit outfield at Traegar Park.

The ball includes the 'Walkabout Wickets' artwork by Indigenous artist Fiona Clarke, which was incorporated in the Aboriginal XI uniforms on their tour of the UK last year.

Strikers opener Alex Carey will also use the bat of Melbourne Renegades allrounder and Aboriginal XI skipper Dan Christian, which features the artwork of Indigenous artist Emma MacNeil.

Image Id: 841E856201604C44B86F408BAF8C3BE7 Image Caption: Alex Carey will use Dan Christian's bat in Adelaide

"Despite the game being moved from Alice Springs, I was thrilled that Alex Carey was genuinely excited to use my bat in Adelaide to help support the cause in this themed match," Christian said.

"This support means a lot to the Indigenous community and it’s vital in promoting the sport as inclusive and welcoming."

Trailer: 'Walkabout Wickets' honours 1868 tour

Both teams will also wear Indigenous uniforms for the match.

The match on Saturday afternoon will follow the premiere of the documentary 'Walkabout Wickets' on the Seven Network, which tells the story of the Indigenous tour of England last year.

The documentary follows the Australian Men’s and Women’s Indigenous teams in the UK and remembers the group of Aboriginal players and their historic tour of England in 1868, 150 years earlier.