Crows, Power - with some help from the Strikers - will face off in Twenty20 Showdown for bushfire relief on February 2
Adelaide and Port Adelaide, with help from the Adelaide Strikers, will face off in a Twenty20 fundraiser on February 2 at Adelaide Oval to raise funds for those affected by the bushfires crisis.
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Some of South Australia’s biggest sporting names have joined forces as football and cricket unite to try to raise more than $1 million for the SA Bushfire Appeal.
AFL arch rivals Adelaide and Port Adelaide will go head-to-head in a one-off Twenty20 cricket match at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, February 2, with organisers hoping for a packed house of more than 50,000.
Veteran stars Taylor Walker and Rory Sloane have already put their hands up to lead the Crows team while current captain Tom Jonas and former skipper Travis Boak want to play in the Power side for the 2.30pm contest.
Adelaide Strikers and Redbacks players, including Australian star Travis Head, could also filter through the two teams depending on BBL and State cricket commitments.
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It is understood other celebrities could also make guest appearances in the match first proposed by Crows fan Scott Elderfield on Twitter.
“I’m over the moon that this is actually happening,’’ Elderfield, a schoolteacher, told The Advertiser.
“It’s unbelievable that so many people have grabbed such a small idea and run with it to raise what we hope is going to be a lot of money for the bushfire appeal.’’
Teams will slowly be formalised by the end of the month.
All net proceeds from the match, including ticketing, catering, sponsorship and other donations from individuals, companies and sponsors will go to the state’s bushfire appeal, particularly those affected by bushfires on Kangaroo Island and at Cudlee Creek.
The Crows, Power, SACA, SANFL and Adelaide Oval have joined forces for the event, with tickets, which go on sale on Tuesday, priced at $20 for adults, $5 for children and $40 for families.
I would like to thank @Mark_Soda, @Mix1023, & @jhudson_10 for picking up on this concept about a #T20 game to raise funds for #AustralianBushfireDisaster. Thank you to the @Adelaide_FC & @PAFC players for giving this game life, @travisboak10 and @texwalker13 and @TheAdelaideOval.
— Scott23 (@ScottElderfiel1) January 10, 2020
The State Government has announced there will be free public transport for those attending the match.
“Adelaide Oval is honoured to host this great initiative for such an important cause, which brings together cricket and football in one of the most legendary rivalries in South Australian sport,’’ Adelaide Oval chief executive Andrew Daniels said.
“Like everyone witnessing these tragic events unfold, we have been wanting to do something meaningful to help.
“We’d certainly love to fill the stadium and for people to come along and help us raise as much money as possible, while also taking a moment to be together during this difficult time.’’
Sloane, who is expected to captain Adelaide in his own right this year after co-skipper Taylor Walker relinquished his duties at the end of last season, said all the Crows players wanted to be a part of the occasion.
He said Walker wanted to open the bowling after his strong efforts this season for Prince Alfred Old Collegians – “he’s been rolling the arm over a little bit this summer and rates himself’’ – Sloane said – while he nominated Tom Lynch, a former state junior cricketer, and the Crouch brothers, Matt (a wicketkeeper-batsman) and Brad, as likely stars for the Crows.
Jonas, who has joined some Power teammates in playing T20 cricket for Grange, said Boak, vice-captain Hamish Hartlett and Ryan Burton would form the nucleus of Port’s cricket side.
Assistant coaches Nathan Bassett, Jarrad Schofield and Brett Montgomery have also put their hands up to play.
“Hartlett rates himself, he reckons he used to keep in front of Alex Carey in juniors, so that probably counts for a little bit,’’ Jonas said.
“The starting XI is starting to take shape pretty quickly and while the game is for a great cause, which comes first, naturally, as competitive athletes, we’ll want to win, especially against the Crows.’’
Head’s availability will depend on whether the Strikers make the BBL finals.
A Power ambassador, he said he wanted to represent Port, along with fellow Strikers Billy Stanlake, Rashid Khan and Jake Lehmann.
“We haven't got many Adelaide Crows boys in our team at the moment,’’ he said.
While a T20 clash will be staged in Adelaide to raise funds for the bushfire appeal, the AFL will play a Victoria versus All Stars fundraiser at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on February 28.
Originally published as Crows, Power - with some help from the Strikers - will face off in Twenty20 Showdown for bushfire relief on February 2