PORT ADELAIDE’s T20 side for the Bushfire Showdown is starting to take shape, with captain Tom Jonas announcing eight Power players who will take part on February 2 at Adelaide Oval.
Jonas will skipper the side, with former underage state and Australian representatives Hamish Hartlett, Connor Rozee and Todd Marshall included in the team.
Travis Boak, Tom Clurey, Boyd Woodcock and Kane Farrell will also be involved in the side, which will look to take bragging rights over Adelaide in just under a fortnight.
Jonas says he is happy with how his side is looking for the important charity game, which will be looking to raise as much money as possible for the communities in Adelaide who have been affected by the bushfires.
“The Port Adelaide team will be comprised of Travis Boak and Hamish Hartlett who will lead from the front,” Jonas said at a press conference at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday afternoon.
“Then behind those boys are Boyd Woodcock, Tommy Clurey, Kane Farrell, Connor Rozee and Todd Marshall.
“I’m pretty happy with the squad we have compiled and hopefully we will get a few nice selections in the draft next week to boost it.”
The skipper said there were a number of players at Alberton who were unlucky to miss the fixture, but assured everyone his team was ready to fire on the big stage.
“There were a few boys who were not very happy about missing out on selection,” Jonas joked.
“Ryan Burton has been training once every two weeks, but still reckons he’s fit to put the whites on.
“The other one who was pretty stiff was Dan Houston who is a bit of an allrounder. He rates himself with the ball and he’s pretty handy with the bat, so he’s not too happy.
“The other one is Tom Rockliff. He’s a real pest, so if he ever misses out on anything, he wants to let you know about it.
“He feels like he would’ve been great value under the lid.”
Jonas named former captain Travis Boak as the player to watch, and believes his all-round game should hold the Power in good stead.
“Travis Boak is the x-factor for us,” he said.
“If his shoulder comes good, I think he can get the ball up around the mid-130kms he reckons. Whether that happens remains to be seen.
“If not, he will just have to wield the willow.”
General Manager of Adelaide Oval Darren Chandler said the Oval was delighted to be hosting a game that will hopefully raise much-needed funds for those affected by the fires.
“The interest in the game has been enormous,” Chandler said.
“We are absolutely delighted here at Adelaide Oval to be hosting it, and the community has really supported it. We look like having hopefully a really big crowd.”
Chandler announced that both teams will have cricketers from the Strikers/Redbacks play, as well as a female cricketer and a CFS volunteers, with the captains of both teams in charge of selecting the rest of their squad at a draft next week.
“We spoke about the teams - there are spots to be filled,” he said.
“What we have decided to do is have a draft, so next Wednesday we will be having a draft here.
“There will be four Strikers/Redbacks players selected on each team. A female cricketer from the Scorpions/Strikers WBBL will also play.
“We won’t know final availability until after the BBL minor rounds are finished, but what we do know is the cricketers can’t wait to be involved.”
100 per cent of net proceeds from ticketing, catering, sponsorship and all other donations for this match will go to the state’s bushfire appeal, which will raise vital funds for people directly affected by bushfires in recent months.
All tickets are being sold as general admission tickets and are priced at $20 for adults, $5 for kids and $40 for families. The State Government has also announced that it will be providing free public transport to all those attending the match.
Tickets to the Bushfire T20 Showdown are on sale now.
Donations to the SA Bushfire Appeal can be made here.
