Star-studded Lineup Descends on Kirribilli House Today for Nova’s Annual Backyard Cricket Match

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to welcome a star-studded lineup of guests to Kirribilli House today, to play in the highly anticipated sporting event Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie’s First XI Backyard Cricket

This year, the ultimate game of backyard cricket will see team captains Fitzy and Wippa compete against each other in what promises to be a memorable showdown.

Joining them across both teams is a stellar lineup of players, with Albo joining Team Fitzy for his third Backyard Cricket appearance, and Premier Chris Minns joining Wippa’s team for his second Backyard Cricket match.

Also joining Fitzy’s team are Raygun, Mark Ferguson, Sarah Abo, Matty J, Ben Fordham, Colin Fassnidge, Chloe Molloy and Dr Andrew Rochford.

Joining Wippa’s team are Matt Shirvington, Nedd Brockmann, Shannon Noll, Hugh Van Cuylenburg, Angela Cox, Shayna Jack, Mel McLaughin and Smooth FM’s Richard Wilkins. Two lucky listeners have also scored themselves a spot on the team by listening to Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie at breakfast.

The annual Backyard Cricket match is held for a great cause. This year, the Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie team will be raising funds for two incredible charities – Lifeline, a national charity providing all Australians with access to 24-hour crisis support, and Batyr Australia, working to create stigma-free communities that champion youth mental health and wellbeing.

Fitzy said of this year’s match, “Wippa, I hope you’re ready, I plan on hitting more sixes than you can poke a bat at.”

Wippa said, “Ready to roll, sorry bowl. It’s not about the size of the dog in the fight, it’s about the 45-year-old with a bad shoulder who can’t play cricket. May the best team win.”

Check out @fitzywippakate on socials throughout the day for all the action and to see who takes home the trophy. Plus, tune in to Nova 96.9’s Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie breakfast show from 6am on Wednesday for highlights from the game and behind the scenes activity.

Imagery and B-roll from the game will follow on Tuesday afternoon – stay tuned!

Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie airs from 6am on Nova 96.9 in Sydney.

Listeners can also stream the show live or catch up with the daily podcast by downloading the Nova Player