Lismore is counting down the days until the second Legends of Cricket Twenty20 match, as this year’s team lineup was announced by Mayor Steve Krieg today.

In five days' time (this Saturday, 15 February), Oakes Oval will once again host some of Australia’s greatest cricketing names, once again showcasing the resilience of the Lismore community as we continue to recover and rebuild.

Once again, the line-up is a mix of former Australian cricketing legends alongside some of our best local talent for an unforgettable day of explosive action and fun.

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg will again captain the Mayor’s XI, taking on Adam Gilchrist’s Gilly’s XI.

Fans can look forward to seeing cricketing stars Steve O’Keefe, Michael Kasprowicz, Jason Gillespie, Dan Christian, Nathan Hauritz, Andy Bichel, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Joe Parsons, Claire Moore, Ebony Hoskin and Georgie Redmayne in action.

Adding to the spectacle, Powderfinger’s Bernard Fanning and Grinspoon guitarist Pat Davern will swap the stage for the pitch.

Local business representatives and community members are joining the teams, including Tim Cohen and Peter Thomas from Bennett Constructions, Luke Shay from CommBank and local young rising stars Cooper Williams and Joe Parsons.

Finally, the Hon. Paul Scully, NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, will attend the event as well.

When asked about Minister Scully's cricketing prowess, Mayor Krieg replied, "What better way to spend an afternoon sitting on the hill watching Andy Bichel bowling a couple of short balls to the Planning Minister of NSW. He's sh&^$ing himself".

“We had such an incredible response to the Legends of Cricket match in 2023, and this year’s event is set to be even bigger,” he said.

“The calibre of players putting their hands up to be part of this is phenomenal. Thank you to all the players for taking the time to showcase their skills at our very own Oakes Oval. 

“While I can’t wait to win and show Gilly’s XI whose boss, I’m genuinely excited about what this event means for Lismore. Our community deserves this celebration, and I can’t wait to see everyone there.”

(Adam Gilchrist in full flight during the inaugural Legends of Cricket match in 2023)

Adam Gilchrist said it’s more than just a game of cricket; it’s a chance to showcase how far Lismore has come in its rebuild.

“Lismore is where I grew up; it will always hold a special place in my heart,” he said.

“Seeing so many of my cricketing mates come together to help support this town and its people is incredible. It’s great to see how far we’ve come in rebuilding; there is still a way to go.

“Events like this are about recognising what is possible and raising the profile of Lismore as a thriving regional centre capable of hosting high-calibre events at state-of-the-art sporting facilities.”

Gilly's comments were reiterated by Mayor Krieg.

"For me, it's not about the sport as much as testing our facilities. We've just won a state award for the Best Regional AFL ground in New South Wales. We've gone on to the national competition for that particular award.

"I want to test our facilities. I want to make sure that we can very easily cater for five or six thousand people here. My dream is to get eight or nine thousand, to be honest, to really test our capability, to make sure that our toilets work, as silly as it sounds, to make sure that our grandstands are comfortable and fit for purpose. To check the new Adam Gilchrist pavilion, which we're officially naming with Gilly on Friday, but to make sure that the whole new building is fit for purpose.

"Any improvements, modifications that we might need to make, is where we get that data from holding events like this."

The newly upgraded Oakes Oval includes improved change rooms, an upgraded grandstand, new coach boxes and dedicated media spaces through a $12.4 million joint investment by the Commonwealth and NSW governments and Lismore City Council. 

The team line-ups are:

Gilly’s XI

•   Adam Gilchrist

•   Claire Moore

•   Nathan Hauritz

•   Michael Kasprowicz

•   Jason Gillespie

•   Jodie Fields

•   Tim Buckett

•   Lenard Blok

•   Cooper Williams

•   Bernard Fanning

•   Tim Cohen

•   Paul Scully (Minister for Planning and Open Spaces)

Mayor’s XI

•   Steve Krieg

•   Dan Christian

•   Steve O’Keefe

•   Andy Bichel

•   Sammy-Jo Johnson

•   Georgie Redmayne

•   Joe Parsons

•   Pat Davern

•   Peter Thomas

•   Luke Shay

•   Ebony Hoskin

Gates open at 1pm with the game starting at 3pm. Tickets are available via www.oztix.com.au.

VIP tickets have now sold out.

Grandstand seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so fans are encouraged to arrive early. 

Ticket Prices:

•   Adult: $22.45

•   Concession: $12.25

•   Family: $54.10

•   Children 11 and under: Free

The Mayor updated media on the weather forecast five days out from Legends of Cricket Twenty20.

"The weather forecast is cloudy, minimum of 20, maximum of 31 uv is pretty high, but no rain at this stage."

"We're talking about contingencies and all of those sort of things, especially after Carol's. We've been keeping an eye on the forecast. A bit of drizzle won't hurt us if, if we do get a little squall that comes through, we'll delay it. And who knows, we might get to flick the lights on and play under lights. But the commitment is there to get the game in and given the weather forecast, it will be happening"

"It will be a real picnic atmosphere. It's fully licensed this year, and we do have food vendors. You're allowed to bring food and drink in as long as there's no glass bottles and no alcohol because of our licensing agreement. But there is alcohol available at the ground."

(Council GM Jon Gibbons tries to get the key into the Oakes Oval wicket watched by Mayor Steve Krieg)

As part of the overall cricket fun, before the main event, young cricketers aged 5–14 can take part in the Legends of Cricket Junior Cricket Clinic, where they’ll learn skills from Aussie legends and enjoy a fun-filled morning of activities at Oakes Oval. 

The clinic runs from 8:30a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and costs $49 (the first 20 registrations are free). For more information, email northcoastcricket@cricketnsw.com.au. 

Fans can also join Adam Gilchrist and Trevor Chappell, in conversation with Geoff Lawson OAM, at the Legends of Cricket Sportspersons Breakfast presented by Alder Constructions. 

Hosted at the Adam Gilchrist Pavilion on the morning of the game from 8.30a.m. to 10.30a.m., this exclusive event includes a catered breakfast by The Secret Chef, live entertainment from Lonnie Pasco and the chance to mingle with cricketing greats. Tickets are available at www.visitlismore.com.au.