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Sixers, Thunder set for Aboriginal T20 Cup

Big Bash clubs to meet in first Aboriginal T20 Cup this weekend in Orange

The most promising Aboriginal cricketers from across New South Wales will be given the chance to showcase their skills in the inaugural Aboriginal T20 Cup this weekend.

Cricketers from communities across the state have been selected to represent the Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers Aboriginal teams in three T20 matches during the two-day carnival, to be held at Orange’s Wade Park.

The new competition will create another step in the cricket pathway for Aboriginal cricketers, giving them the opportunity to further develop their skills and ultimately become the next generation of KFC Big Bash League stars.

The competition will develop young cricketers, with most participants to be aged under 23. Each team will also be able to select three overage players.

Both teams will be captained by BBL|04 rookies, with Jonte Pattison to lead the Thunder and Brett Russell to lead the Sixers.

Pattison said the program would be a great opportunity to unearth Aboriginal talent from around NSW.

"There are a lot of good indigenous cricketers out there that just don’t get seen because they’re not playing in Sydney or not playing grade cricket," Pattison said.

"It’ll be good fun, and a good opportunity for a large group of Aboriginal people to come and play cricket and show everybody what they’ve got."

Russell believes the competition will be a good experience for some up-and-coming cricketers.

"It’s a chance for Aboriginal cricketers to be seen by people from Cricket NSW and the Big Bash clubs," Russell said.

"It is a really good opportunity for indigenous players from the country to come and put on a show for the selectors and it is also another pathway for them."

Aboriginal T20 Cup

November 7:  Game 1 (1-4pm), Game 2 (6-9pm)
November 8: Game 3 (10am-1pm)

Aboriginal T20 Cup players: Jonte Patterson, Tyrone Liddiard, Aarron Muir, Lain Beckett, Yarran Fair-Townsend, Jeffery, Daniel Barrows, Fred Gow, Aaron Gow, Jarrod Hookey, Percy Edwards, Jay Trindal, Tyrone Thomas, Brett Russell, Ben Mitchell, Matthew Sheather, Harrison Kelly, Aiden Bills