BBL franchise Adelaide Strikers unveil Aboriginal-inspired playing shirts

Big Bash League (BBL) franchise Adelaide Strikers unveiled a unique playing jersey designed by Aboriginal artists to be worn during the BBL’s inaugural fixtures in Alice Springs later this month. Adelaide players and coach Jason Gillespie, Australia’s first Indigenous Test cricketer, will wear the shirts during the January 13 clash with the Perth Scorchers at Traeger Park. The 42-year-old Gillespie looks excited with the initiative and is looking forward to don the new outfits.

The design has been created by South Australian based artists Mel Agius and Colleen Strangways. The art on the jerseys represents the Strikers’ journey from Kaurna land to Alice Springs, the place of the Arrernte people. The Strikers WBBL outfit will also enrobe the kits for their double-header at the venue.

Speaking about the initiative, Adelaide Strikers General Manager Bronwyn Klei said, “This will be a strong visual statement of our commitment to the Alice Springs games and our determination to create a legacy from this event,” as quoted by foxsports.

He added, “These beautiful shirt designs will be seen by millions of people watching the broadcasts of the games across Australia and the world, focusing extra attention on the first Big Bash games played in the Northern Territory.”

“In fact, this will be the biggest sporting event in Alice Springs history with the game being broadcast to over 130 countries.”

The Strikers will host their BBL and WBBL matches for two seasons in Alice Springs

In a bid to spread the sport throughout the isolated town, the Strikers have committed to taking home BBL and WBBL matches to Alice Springs for two seasons under an agreement with Cricket Australia and the Northern Territory Government. Alice Springs is a remote town in Australia’s Northern Territory, halfway between Darwin and Adelaide.

As part of that agreement, the Strikers will also host clinics, conduct hospital visits, open training sessions, a coaches’ forum and autograph sessions, as well as play a special welcome to country video before the match.