Epic win for charity: Team Wippa triumphs in Nova’s Backyard Cricket

The iconic lawns of Kirribilli House have once again played host to Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie’s Backyard Cricket, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns stepping up to the crease alongside an all-star lineup.

The charity match, supporting Lifeline Australia and Batyr Australia, brought together sports stars, media personalities and entertainers for a spirited showdown.

At the heart of the action was the classic rivalry between Fitzy and Wippa, each captaining their respective teams in a battle for backyard bragging rights.

Nova’s Clint Stanaway provided live commentary, keeping the crowd entertained as the friendly competition unfolded.

Fitzy’s XI featured Prime Minister Albanese, Channel Seven’s Mark ‘Fergo’ Ferguson, Olympic breakdancing sensation Raygun, TV personality Dr. Andrew Rochford, celebrity chef Colin Fassnidge, 2GB’s Ben Fordham, The Today Show’s Sarah Abo, AFLW star Chloe Molloy and reality TV’s Matty J.

Wippa’s XI included Premier Minns, Channel Seven’s Angela Cox and Mel McLaughlin, endurance athlete and speaker Nedd Brockmann, singer Shannon Noll, Sunrise’s Matt ‘Shirvo’ Shirvington, author and podcaster Hugh van Cuylenburg, Olympian Shayna Jack OAM and Richard Wilkins.

Proceedings began with acknowledgement of the two charities and the impact of the funds raised before players took to the field in jerseys featuring Wippa’s 36 Months campaign, a nod to his recent advocacy to raise the social media age limit to 16.

Shannon Noll delivered a one-of-a-kind rendition of the national anthem to set the game in motion.

Fitzy’s team batted first, with the PM facing the opening over from Premier Minns.

Albo got off the mark with a boundary on his second ball. But he was out when Sunrise’s Shirvo took a classic catch on the hill.

The PM was not a very happy camper, brushing off Shirvo’s apologetic embrace.

Raygun’s time at the crease was short-lived, caught out by van Cuylenburg despite Fitzy’s shouts for “quick feet.”

The first six of the day came from Mark Ferguson, launching the ball into Sydney Harbour, before Dr. Rochford closed the innings with another six, taking Fitzy’s XI to a competitive 57 runs.

Wippa’s team struggled early, with Wilkins and Noll opening against Albanese’s bowling prowess. A controversial no-ball call sparked debate between the PM and returning umpire Bruce but catches from Molloy and Raygun quickly put Wippa’s team on the back foot.

Enter Nedd Brockmann. The endurance athlete showed his power with a series of sixes, dragging his team back into contention. Shirvo added another harbour-bound six before van Cuylenburg made Backyard Cricket history, sending one onto the roof of Kirribilli House.

But it was Premier Minns who sealed the victory, narrowly avoiding getting caught out by the PM, before smashing a six to bring Wippa’s team home with 58 runs.

While Wippa’s XI claimed the trophy, the biggest winners were Lifeline and Batyr, with both charities receiving $10,000 donations from Medibank and Nova 96.9.