Indigenous BBL teams creating pathways for young cricketers

For the past five years James Whiting has been part of the Sydney Thunder Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team facing off against other Big Bash clubs in Indigenous T20 Cup.

Not only has it been an opportunity to bond with other Indigenous cricketers and celebrate First Nations culture, but it's also provided a valuable talent identification pathway for the Sydney based club.

Ben Patterson and Brock Larance are former Thunder Indigenous players who earned the opportunity to play trial matches for the Thunder Academy team.

Talented wicketkeeper-batter and proud Biripi man Tyran Liddiard – who first started with the Thunder's Indigenous side in 2017 – has forced his way onto the radar of NSW selectors with four hundreds in two seasons for Premier club side Penrith and another for the NSW Second XI in February last year.

Whiting – who is now skipper of the Thunder's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team – has also flagged teammate and Dharawal man Jacob Murphy as a "serious talent" with the left-arm spinner playing first-grade for Campbelltown Camden this season.

"It just shows that we have that pathway, that extra pathway to go through (to get an opportunity)," Whiting told cricket.com.au ahead of KFC BBL|12 First Nations Round.

"That's boosted them really fast, so it's done a lot of good work."

What started as a competition involving just the Thunder and the Sixers has now spread to three other clubs with the Renegades, Stars and Hurricanes all taking part in the tournament in recent seasons.

This year's tournament will again take place in Albury from March 31 to April 2 involving the Sydney and Melbourne Big Bash clubs.

Image Id: EBDBF920C4184FBFB05112E21711BFBB Image Caption: Hobart Hurricane and Mitakoodi man D'Arcy Short bats in the club's Indigenous top against the Stars earlier this year // Getty

"When the Melbourne Stars and Renegades came in last year, it brought a whole new talent pool of Indigenous cricketers up which none of us had ever seen before and it was actually very competitive cricket," Whiting said.

"(The tournament) just creates a safe space for players, no one feels like they're out of a spot and everyone can get the job done.

"It makes just makes everyone feel welcome and then that pushes them through the right way (on their cricket pathway).

"We'd love all the clubs to get an Indigenous team so we can actually make proper carnival out of it and actually get the people involved feeling like they are professionals, which some of them can be and will be in the future."

Whiting – a Wiradjuri man and wicketkeeper-batter for Blacktown Premier Cricket club – said seeing other Indigenous cricketers such as the Thunder's Brendan Doggett, Sixers' Dan Christian and Hurricanes' D'Arcy Short playing in the KFC BBL was huge for aspiring youngsters.

"It just shows us that it actually can be done and that people have broken through," Whiting said.

"With Brendan, he's played in the Imparja Cup, the Indigenous (annual state cricket) carnival, and it just shows us that we do have that pathway through and that our dreams are still alive even if you don't get selected into a normal NSW team.

"You still have this extra pathway to go through and create chances for yourself."

Doggett – whose proud Worimi heritage runs through his mother's side of the family – said those like Whiting deserved the credit for growing the game among Indigenous communities.

"I stand in front of a camera and tell my story and talk about it but people like James are the ones that are doing all the hard yards," the Thunder quick said.

"When I was back playing in Queensland, in the pre-season we would go out to communities and take the game out there and the Indigenous kids are freakishly talented.

"As soon as they pick up a bat or a ball, it all happens pretty quickly for them.

"So when we get out there and take the games to these communities and show them what the game is, it's only going to help (grow the sport)."

BBL|12's First Nations Round kicks off tonight with the Thunder hosting the Scorchers at Sydney Showground Stadium in what also marks Australia superstar David Warner's return to the Big Bash for the first time in nine years.

Throughout First Nations Round, the league and clubs will showcase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and ceremony through barefoot circles, Welcome to Country and incorporation of local languages, and immersive experiences for fans through music and art. 

Players from each team will also wear uniforms designed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, each with their own unique stories connected to the traditional lands of each club.

BBL|12 First Nations Round

January 13, 6.30pm AEDT: Sydney Thunder v Perth Scorchers, Sydney Showground Stadium, Wangal

January 14, 3.30pm ACDT: Adelaide Strikers v Brisbane Heat, Adelaide Oval, Kaurna

January 14, 7.30pm AEDT: Melbourne Renegades v Melbourne Stars, Marvel Stadium, Wurundjeri

January 15, 1.40pm AEDT: Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Thunder, Blundstone Arena, palawa

January 15, 7.15pm AEDT: Sydney Sixers v Perth Scorchers, SCG, Gadigal

January 16, 7.15pm AEDT: Melbourne Stars v Brisbane Heat, MCG, Wurundjeri

January 17, 7.15pm AEDT: Sydney Sixers v Adelaide Strikers, C.ex Coffs International Stadium, Gumbainggir

January 18, 4.40pm AWST: Perth Scorchers v Hobart Hurricanes, Optus Stadium, Whadjuk

January 19, 7.15pm AEDT: Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Renegades, Manuka Oval, Ngunnawal

January 20, 4.00pm ACDT Adelaide Strikers v Perth Scorchers, Adelaide Oval, Kaurna

January 20, 7.00pm AEST: Brisbane Heat v Hobart Hurricanes, Gabba, Yugara