Young star Hasrat Gill joins crowds as Sydney Thunder brings cricket and culture to Drummoyne Oval

Sydney Thunder turned Drummoyne into a vibrant celebration of sport and culture on 15 November, drawing crowds to a free festival at Taplin Park ahead of a blockbuster Women’s Big Bash League double-header.

Families poured into the park for an afternoon of colour and entertainment, with Bhangra dancers, Bollywood dance classes, a live DJ, inflatables, tape-ball cricket, a rock-climbing wall, henna, face painting and food stalls creating a lively festival atmosphere just metres from Drummoyne Oval.

The cultural showcase set the stage for the world’s best women’s cricketers, who arrived in Sydney for the headline act of the Cricket & Culture Festival hosted by Sydney Thunder.

Thunder stars Chamari Athapaththu, Phoebe Litchfield and Hasrat Gill headlined the highly anticipated Sydney Smash, facing off against Sydney Sixers icons Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy in the second match of the evening.

Earlier, fans were treated to a clash between the Hobart Hurricanes and Brisbane Heat, featuring marquee names Jemimah Rodrigues, Grace Harris, Heather Graham and Nat Sciver-Brunt.

Thunder said the festival reflects their ongoing commitment to engaging diverse communities across Western Sydney, bringing world-class cricket and cultural experiences together in one place.

With top-tier talent on the field and a carnival at its doorstep, Drummoyne Oval delivered an action-packed afternoon and evening that showcased the very best of cricket, culture and community.

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