Sport
21 February, 2026
Endless summer continues for local cricket fans
Australia may have crashed out of the T20 World Cup – but there will be some cracking action much closer to home early next month for local cricket fans.
Australia may have crashed out of the T20 World Cup – but there will be some cracking action much closer to home early next month for local cricket fans.
The Lyrebird Foundation will be hosting a celebration of women’s cricket across two days on March 12 and 13 at Bradman Oval.
The event will attract some of the sport’s leading players, leaders and supporters from across the nation and from overseas to celebrate International Women’s Day.
On Thursday, March 12, the Lyrebird Invitation XI will take on the Barbarian XI, with the Lyrebird XI coming up against the talent-packed Ethan Indigenous XI on Friday, March 14.
Both matches will celebrate excellence in women’s cricket while reinforcing the importance of strong, inclusive development pathways for future generations.
Away from Bradman Oval, the Lyrebird Foundation will host its International Women’s Day Gala Dinner at Peppers Craigieburn on the night of March 12.
The gala dinner will feature inspiring conversation with leading voices from business, cricket and media including cricketers from Vanuatu, Afghanistan and the UAE, as well as Australian cricket legend Geoff Lawson who is on the Board of Lyrebird Foundation.
Presented in partnership with Western Sydney University and Ethan Indigenous, the event will raise vital funds to support scholarships and pathways that enable young women to access education, leadership development and long-term careers in sport.
Based in Australia with a growing global reach, Lyrebird Foundation is at the forefront of transforming women’s cricket, using sport as a platform to drive social change, promote gender equality and empower women and girls from diverse backgrounds.
A key focus of Lyrebird’s work is the establishment of a Lyrebird International Academy for Women’s Cricket - a groundbreaking initiative designed to break down barriers and create pathways across all facets of the sport, including playing, coaching, officiating and leadership roles.
In support of this vision, the Lyrebird Foundation recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Western Sydney University, with a central pillar of the partnership focused on the development of a Diploma-level course.
The program will allow students to combine academic study with elite cricket development, creating tangible pathways into professional and leadership careers within sport.
Together, Lyrebird and Western Sydney University are committed to nurturing talent and creating opportunities for women to excel both on and off the field, with a particular focus on supporting women from Indigenous communities and developing nations.
All funds raised through the International Women’s Day Gala Dinner will directly support this important work.
Chair of the Lyrebird Foundation, Shaun Martyn, said International Women’s Day provided a powerful moment to reflect on progress but more importantly to focus on “what comes next”.
“Through this event, we’re not just celebrating women’s cricket - we’re actively building pathways that give talented women the opportunity to lead, learn and thrive in the sport, on and off the field.”
“Lyrebird’s vision is about long-term impact,’ Mr Martyn said.
“By combining education, elite development and leadership opportunities, we’re creating a model that supports women from all backgrounds to reach their potential and shape the future of cricket.”
For more information and to purchase tickets for the Peppers Craigieburn event visit https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/lyrebird-international-womens-day-gala-dinner-tickets-1977223059396
For more information about the Lyrebird Foundation visit www.lyrebirdfoundation.org
Read More: Southern Highlands, Bowral