Ben Patterson and Doug Potter have earned the chance to be part of a cricket carnival with a distance later this month after being named in the Sydney Thunder Indigenous XI.
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The Thunder will take on the Hobart Hurricanes in the Indigenous T20 Cup at Orange, with a three-match series to be played out.
Patterson, who won the RSL-Whitney Cup with Newtown last season before linking with Campbeltown-Camden in the off-season, was unavailable for last year's carnival but has represented the Thunder's Indigenous side in the past.
This season's series, to be played out on November 27 and 28, will be Potter's first chance in the green of the Thunder.
Two months ago it was announced Orange would be hosting the series this season and Patterson said at that time it was "a big deal" to earn selection at that time.
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The Thunder's squad was confirmed last week and captain Tyran Liddiard echoed Patterson's words when hailing the quality of the squad and the experience which awaits.
"It's amazing to see all the Indigenous talent coming through now in cricket," Liddiard said.
"For a long time now, we've really tried to get young kids playing cricket and to start seeing a few of them come up is amazing.
"It's really positive that, through cricket, we are able to lead by example and set a positive example for younger people. To be able to get such a young team together for Sydney Thunder and to all come together as one to play cricket is really special."
The Indigenous T20 Cup aims to promote the importance of culture, connecting the players to their people and their community.
The tournament works alongside existing community engagement work aimed at inspiring young Indigenous girls and boys.
According to Liddiard, the cultural significance of the Indigenous T20 Cup is paramount to the playing group.
Patterson and Potter will be part of that, while they'll also be key figures for the side on the field.
It's amazing to see all the Indigenous talent coming through.
- Thunder captain Tyran Liddiard
Patterson is a proven performer on the big stage and represented NSW alongside Liddiard at the National Indigenous Cricket Championships while the pair were also part of Australia's historic tour of the UK to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the 1868 Aboriginal team's tour.
Potter, meanwhile, has gone from strength to strength wit Newtown since moving to Dubbo in recent years.
The Indigenous T20 Cup will be played a Wade Park.