The state’s biggest rivals – the Power and the Crows – will meet in a Showdown with a difference next month in a major fundraiser for SA’s Bushfire Appeal.
The two South Australian AFL clubs, along with the South Australian Cricket Association, the SANFL and the Adelaide Oval announced on Friday afternoon that they had all united to put on a special one-off event to raise vital funds for people affected by bushfires in Cudlee Creek and on Kangaroo Island.
It won’t be the usual Showdown though – this time the footy teams are playing cricket!
It’s official!!! Congratulations South Australia for bringing it to life!!!
Great idea @ScottElderfiel1 pic.twitter.com/kLfHqdhYjC
— Mark Soderstrom (@Mark_Soda) January 10, 2020
The T20 cricket Showdown, which will also feature some of cricket’s biggest names, will happen on Sunday 2 February at Adelaide Oval starting at 2.30pm.
The Power’s Travis Boak and Tom Jonas, along with the Crows’ Rory Sloane and Taylor Walker have been named as playing in the match with plenty more to be announced.
All net proceeds from ticketing, catering, sponsorship and other donations for the match will go to the state’s bushfire appeal.
All tickets will be sold as general admission tickets and will be 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 Showdown Bushfire Benefit will go on sale on Tuesday, 14 January at 9:00am HERE via Ticketek.
I would like to thank @Mark_Soda, @Mix1023, & @jhudson_10 for picking up on this concept about a #T20 game to raise funds for #AustralianBushfireDisaster. Thank you to the @Adelaide_FC & @PAFC players for giving this game life, @travisboak10 and @texwalker13 and @TheAdelaideOval.
— Scott23 (@ScottElderfiel1) January 10, 2020
The idea for the cricket match originated from a Twitter user named Scott, who suggested it would be a great way to raise funds for those affected by the bushfires in South Australia.
Mix102.3’s own Mark ‘Soda’ Soderstrom was quick to throw his support behind the idea, tweeting Scott that he thought it was a “brilliant idea” and would put “all resources” behind it in a bid to make it happen.
Righto… wheels already in motion today.
Let’s bring @ScottElderfiel1’s brilliant idea to life.
Our new @Mix1023 breakfast cohost @erinphillips131 is 100% behind this too and we will put all our resources behind this.
Let’s do this ADELAIDE!! https://t.co/wV5Zawc3fj
— Mark Soderstrom (@Mark_Soda) January 3, 2020
Soda was at the launch of the big event on Friday, and caught up with Mix102.3’s Travis Boak who sounded particularly keen to face Crows rival Tex Walker.
“If Tex bowls a few overs at me, I reckon I should be alright but it’s going to be fun,” Boaky said to Soda with a laugh.
“I’m looking forward to getting out there and playing a bit of cricket. We’ve got some good cricketers in our side as well so we’ll be taking it pretty seriously I reckon but it’s obviously all for a good cause.”
This morning, Soda returned from his radio holidays more than a week early, saying there was “a lot going on” ahead of today’s big announcement. He then rang co-host Erin Phillips to ask her to join him on-air from Monday, a week ahead of schedule.
The Crows AFLW superstar agreed, so Soda and Erin (who is filling in for Jodie Oddy until April) will have plenty to say in the lead up to the big Bushfire Showdown from Monday morning on Mix102.3.
