Stars head to Kirribilli House today for Nova’s annual backyard cricket game

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has prepared the pitch at Kirribilli House and all is in readiness today for Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie’s First XI Backyard Cricket.

This year the ultimate game of backyard cricket will see Kate Ritchie go head-to-head with Fitzy as team captains, while Wippa fronts up in the commentary box.

The PM himself will pad up for a second year, this time playing for Team Kate.

Also returning for another year will be Brett Lee, Mark Ferguson, Smooth FM’s Richard Wilkins and Dr Andrew Rochford, while making their debut will be NSW Premier Chris Minns, Matildas superstar Cortnee Vine, Matt Shirvington, Amy Shark, Nedd Brockmann, Lleyton Hewitt, Ray Meagher and Fitzy’s son Hewie.

Kayo Sports Ambassador Brendon Julian will join Wippa in the commentary box. Two lucky listeners have also scored themselves a spot on the team.

This year, Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie will be raising funds  Ronald McDonald House Charities Sydney (RMHCS) – which provides a home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children being treated at nearby hospitals – and Batyr Australia, which is working to create stigma-free communities that champion youth mental health and wellbeing.

Of her first year on the pitch, Kate says “If you think you’ve seen my competitive side think again! I’ll be doing everything I can to win, and I may or may not have a few tricks up my sleeve.”

Fitzy adds “Everyone wanted to be on Team Kate, but I’ll be the one laughing when Team Fitzy takes the win.”

Meanwhile, Wippa is still wounded from being out for a duck during last year’s match. “It was a shocking ball, and I still can’t believe it cost me team captain. We’ll see if Kate can lead her team to victory like I did last year.”

Kayo Sports will deliver a mini of the match here from tomorrow (Thursday, 5 October).