Sport
10 March, 2026
Events to shine spotlight on women’s cricket
The Lyrebird Foundation has announced a full list of the players taking to the field at Bradman Oval this Friday for its International Women’s Day match.
The Lyrebird Foundation has announced a full list of the players taking to the field at Bradman Oval this Friday for its International Women’s Day match.
The highly anticipated match will see a Lyrebird XI take on an Ethan Indigenous XI, showcasing talent, diversity and opportunity within the women’s game.
The Lyrebird Foundation XI features a mix of Australian and international players including Selina Solman (Vanuatu), Rachel Andrew (Vanuatu), Madison Eddie, Shafiqa Khan Noorzai (Afghanistan), Georgia Lovegrove, Chaya Mughal (UAE), Natalia Egan, Keisha Baldwin, Jess Bramble, Samantha Badgery and Kelly Rowlings.
Selina Solman is a former captain of the Vanuatu women’s cricket team.
Rachel Andrew made headlines around the world after scoring a hat-trick and 85 runs in the T20 Cricket World Qualifiers in Fiji late last year.
Lining up for the Ethan Indigenous XI will be Maddy Spence (Wiradjuri), Kaity Spence (Wiradjuri), Clodagh Ryall (Kaurareg), Grace Abdy (Waanyi Ganggalida), Dimity Parton (Wiradjuri/Yuwaalaraay), Aimee Ravot (Wiradjuri), Taleha Ursulak (Dharawal), Zoe Fleming (Kamilaroi), Charlette Keeler (Kamilaroi), Sasha Croft (Gurindji) and Roxsanne Van-Veen (Gundungurra).
Lyrebird Foundation is 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.
Friday’s match will be part of a two-day celebration of women’s cricket.
This Thursday (March 12) will see a Lyrebird Invitation XI will take on the Barbarian XI.
The match will also feature international players as well as sponsors and supporters.
On Thursday night the foundation will host the International Women’s Day Gala Dinner at Peppers Craigieburn which 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 for scholarships and development pathways empowering young women to pursue education, leadership and long-term careers in sport.
Central to Lyrebird's mission is the establishment of an International Academy for Women's Cricket - a groundbreaking initiative creating pathways across playing, coaching, officiating and leadership.
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.
All funds raised through the International Women’s Day Gala Dinner will directly support this important work.
“International Women’s Day is a powerful moment to reflect on progress, but more importantly, to invest in what comes next,” chair of the Lyrebird Foundation Shaun Martyn said.
“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.”
Vanuatuan cricketer Selina Solman is full of praise for the foundation’s work.
“The Lyrebird Foundation is giving all players opportunities that are often hard to get,” she said this week.
“Not to just play but to further our education to secure a better future.”
For more information and to purchase tickets for the event visit https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/lyrebird-international-womens-day-gala-dinner-tickets-1977223059396
Read More: Bowral, Southern Highlands