Goodwill Cup at the iconic Allan Border Field wins hearts

Brisbane, 18 September (India News Bureau) The Multicultural Community Inclusion and Engagement Goodwill Cricket Cup (T20) between the Institute for Australia India Engagement (South Asia XI) and Queensland Police Commissioner’s XI was held at the Allan Border Field, Albion in Brisbane on Saturday, 17 September. Pristine conditions and fine weather welcomed the players and officials and provided an ideal setting for the inaugural match, after the refurbishment of the AB Field was complete a few weeks ago.

The proceedings kickstarted started with Brother Adrian Coolwell of the Queensland Police performing the Acknowledgement to the Country, followed by welcome remarks from IAIE Goodwill Ambassador to India Matthew Hayden, QPS Acting Inspector Wayne Clayton and former Australian cricketer Ryan Harris, who also did the toss.

The toss was won by IAIE XI Captain Amila Withthesingha who asked his counterpart Paul Bonney to bat first. Batting first, QPS XI scored 129 for the loss of 5 wickets. Jake Coolwell who was adjudged the man of the match in 2021, was again the top scorer for QPS scoring 41 (39), followed by Captain Bonney 33(23), Justin Kersey 27(25) and Raymond Atkinson 18(21). For IAIE XI Chintaka Gunawardana took 2 wickets, whereas Rabin Khadka, Rohit Haldar, Oshane Perera and Krishna took one wicket each.

In response, IAIE XI got off to a blazing start with former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden scoring a blistering 74(39) including 5 sixes and 4 fours. But the QPS XI made a good fight back, taking the game to the penultimate over and preventing IAIE from having an easy win. It was a hard fought match which IAIE XI won by 4 wickets in which Ash Loganathan, Amit Lohani and captain Amila also played a key role in ensuring victory in 18.4 overs.

Matthew Hayden received the Man of the Match award, while Jake Coolwell received the best batsman award and Chintaka the best bowler award, adjudged by match referee John Bell, former Queensland Bulls coach. Commentary for the match was provided by Dr Rajesh Khunjeri of the Indian Medical Association of Queensland. A note of acknowledgement goes the groundsmen —Tony Potter, Sam Raymond, Sean Brackin and Luke Wilmot for preparing an international standard ground and pitch, and Queensland Cricket offering the new swanky digital scoreboard, live streaming and historic dressing rooms and facilities for the two teams.

Goodwill Cup also saw a large number of community champions, dignitaries and legends of the game participating including the Chief Guest Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement Stirling Hinchliffe MP, who spent four 4 hours at the event to lend his stellar support. Other dignitaries included Assistant Minister for Hydrogen Development and the 50% Renewable Energy Target by 2030 Lance McCallum MP who delivered the message from Hon Leanne Linard—Minister Minister for Children and Youth Justice and Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Jess Pugh MP for Mount Ommaney, Jim Madden MP - Ipswich West, James Martin MP for Stretton, Goodwill Cup Ambassador Henry Palaszczuk, Councillor Charles Strunk (Forest Lake ward) , Vicki Howard (Central Ward) and David McLachlan (Hamilton ward), AIBC immediate past National Chair Jim Varghese, Dr Ram Mohan India News Chairman, Mr Samir Vora, COO Bravus mining, and Dr Nik Senapati AIBC Queensland president.

The presentations ceremony was emceed by Ms. Ree Ali of the Indian Communities of Gold Coast, with inputs and assistance from Mrs. Clayton and Sweta Misra. Matthew Hayden, former Australian seamer Carl Rackemann, John Bell also gave away the key awards along with other dignitaries. Federal Parliament Speaker Hon. Milton Dick provided Commonwealth certificates for the players and key officials and staff. Dr Neeraj Khanna, Dr Sunil Sharma and Dr Cyril Fernandez also felicitated Hon. Minister Stirling Hincliffe, QC CEO Terry Svenson and IAIE CEO Dr Ashutosh Misra.

The Goodwill Cup made a huge impact with the invaluable support of QPS officials representing First Nations and Multicultural Affairs Unit, Police Recruiting Team, Members of the Police, Mounted Unit, the Police Dog Squad, North Brisbane District Crime Prevention Unit and the North Brisbane District Police Liaison Unit.

A special vote of thanks goes to Terry Svenson, CEO of Queensland Cricket, who led a team of outstanding QC staff and professionals including Adam McDonald, John Butterworth, Nathan Spencer in ensuring a first class experience to players and guests at the Field. Similarly, a big thank you to Mr. Michael Hennessy, Cricket Australia T20 World Cup representative for flying in from Sydney to support the event.

Ms. Nayda Hernandez was of immense help in coordinating the raffles, painting auction and cultural performances by Torres Strait Islander Group, Samoan Dance Group, Bollywood Dance Group led by Ms. Anu and the Aboriginal Group led by Jahmarley Brown Dawson which also performed the smoke ceremony and didgeridoo.

The event would not have been possible without the generous support of Rostron Carlyle Rojas Lawyers (Platinum Sponsor), Energex and Ergon Energy, Rise01, Hall Chadwick and Mahindras Automotive (Gold Sponsors), Sip N’ Dine (Silver sponsor) and Sankalp restaurant, Sustainable Homes and Nabropure (Bronze sponsors). Amongst the community partners a special acknowledge must be made for the Multicultural Australia, Bengali Society of Queensland, Kshatriya Society of Brisbane, Australia Pakistani National Association, Women Empowerment and Leadership, Nepalese Cricket Club Brisbane and Wolston Park Cricket Club, whose head coach Anu Perera was not only a co-coordinator of the Goodwill Cup but also coach of IAIE XI. Musical entertainment by DJ Peter was very special in keeping the crowd entertained. The trophies were made by Boomerang trophies, Camira. At the end, the Goodwill Cup was presented by Hon Stirling Hinchliffe to the IAIE XI, followed by Dr Ashutosh Misra delivering the vote of thanks.