With the recent success of the Brisbane Heat's Weber Women's Big Bash League First Nations match at Allan Border Field, focus now turns to the State Indigenous Challenge in Far North Queensland this weekend.
State Indigenous Challenge Series Looms
The Queensland Cricket State Indigenous Challenge serves as a key event in the state's Indigenous cricket pathway, providing a competitive platform for elite Indigenous players to showcase their talent and earn selection into higher representative teams.
The event features North Queensland and South Queensland Indigenous Men's teams competing in a series of three T20 matches, with performances closely monitored for potential inclusion in the Queensland Men’s squad.
Piloted successfully in 2023 in Cairns, the event demonstrated its value in expanding opportunities for Indigenous cricketers and was subsequently held again in 2024, reinforcing its role in the state's talent identification process.
This event plays a critical role in the broader Indigenous cricket pathway, offering players of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage the chance to compete at an elite level and progress toward national representation.
The pinnacle of this pathway is selection in Queensland’s squad for Cricket Australia’s annual National Indigenous Cricket Championships (NICC), where top male and female Indigenous cricketers represent the state against their counterparts from across the country.
By providing a structured and competitive environment, the State Indigenous Challenge ensures that talented players have a clear route to higher honours, contributing to the growth and recognition of Indigenous cricket in Queensland and beyond.
This year's event is being held on Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th of November at Griffiths Park, Cairns and is free entry for any spectators!
A women's exhibition game will also be held on Saturday.
Saturday 29 November
12:00pm – 3:00pm State Indigenous Challenge T20 Game 1
3:30pm – 5:30pm Female Indigenous Exhibition Game
6:00pm – 9:00pm State Indigenous Challenge T20 Game 2
Sunday 30 November
9:00am – 12:00pm State Indigenous Challenge T20 Game 3
Country North
Jamison Allan
Duncan Head
Jackmann Yasso
Jd Wilkins
Malaki Gabey
Kael Newcombe
Jaecob Prien
Trent Laffin
Zach Campbell
Cruz Baker
Peter Mills
Ramon Mutch
Country South
Noah Vojinov
George Fisher
Koby Williams
Joshua Wilson
Phynn Boase
Kodi Gilbert
Trey Darr
Matty Dalton
Nathan Wilson
Josh Beever
Riley Waterton
Luke Rowing
Staff
Brad Stout Country North Head Coach
Ash White Country North Assistant Coach
Dylan Blackman Country South Head Coach
Christina Coulson Country South Assistant Coach