PORT ADELAIDE’S squad for Sunday’s T20 Bushfire Showdown is nearly complete, with the announcement of the five cricketers included in each line-up.
Port Adelaide vice-captain Hamish Hartlett joined Adelaide cricket captain Tom Lynch at Adelaide Oval for the draft on Wednesday afternoon.
The Power players will be joined by Strikers captain and Australia vice-captain Travis Head, Australia fast bowler Chadd Sayers, Strikers international import Phil Salt, Strikers wicketkeeper Harry Nielsen and Strikers WBBL allrounder Sarah Lowe.
Reinforcements have arrived for Sunday's #T20Showdown and we are starting to build quite the side.
— Port Adelaide FC (@PAFC) January 29, 2020
The line up 🏏👉 https://t.co/Ci4O7xm9mP#weareportadelaide pic.twitter.com/vHv1FFgQVN
Hartlett said the inclusion of some passionate Port Adelaide people into the squad was an important part of the team makeup, with Strikers skipper Head at the top of the wish list, along with swing king Sayers.
“Everyone knows what he is capable of,” Hartlett told media at Adelaide Oval about Head.
“He also provides a bit of a spin option with his tweakers. We will probably slot him in at five, so he can do some damage in the middle order.
“Chaddy is an avid Port man and he will provide some pretty handy swing bowling I’d imagine.
“He will tie them down in the middle overs and potentially at the death as well.”
The rebounding defender was also extremely delighted to confirm Port Adelaide ambassador Barry “Nugget” Rees would coach the Power side on Sunday afternoon.
“I am very happy to announce another very avid Port Adelaide man Nugget Rees will be our coach,” Hartlett said.
“We are very happy to have him on board.
“I’m sure he will have plenty of advice to the boys. I might have to whack a muzzle on him at one stage because when he gets going, he doesn’t stop.
“He will tell everyone to listen to the captain. Play in the ‘V’. And have some fun.”
Adelaide selected Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey, Australia, Redbacks and Melbourne Renegades fast bowler Kane Richardson, Strikers and Redbacks opening batsman Jake Weatherald, Strikers world-class leg spinner Rashid Khan and Strikers WBBL batter Bridget Patterson, while former Australia coach Darren Lehmann will take the reins.
The final spots in each squad will be filled by a CFS firefighter and an auction winner.
The charity event, which will see 100 per cent of net proceeds from ticketing, catering, sponsorship and all other donations go to the state’s bushfire appeal, will be broadcast on Channel 7 Adelaide from 2:30pm, and available 7plus for interstate viewers.
