When Adelaide's D'Arcy Short walks onto the field for the Big Bash League First Nations round against Perth he'll have a special spring in his step.
"I'm always proud to walk out and play cricket, but I'm even more proud to be able to introduce the Strikers' Indigenous guernsey and be playing in front of a crowd wearing it," the allrounder said.
"As an Indigenous player, it shows young Indigenous people playing that there's a pathway in cricket."
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures will be on show during the BBL's annual First Nations round, running from Wednesday to January 11.
Players will wear uniforms designed by Indigenous artists and the round will include a barefoot circle, ochre hand ceremony and welcome to country.
Local languages will be incorporated along with immersive music and art experiences for fans.
The round begins on Wednesday with Sydney Sixers hosting Brisbane Heat in Coffs Harbour and the Scorchers battling it out with Adelaide Strikers in the Jason Gillespie Trophy at Optus Stadium in Perth.
Gillespie was the first Aboriginal man to play Test cricket for Australia, and Short said having the trophy up for grabs would spur on the team.
"You don't need much more emphasis in terms of wanting to win a Big Bash game and make the finals," Short said.
"But adding that on top is good recognition for Jason, and it's right that we have an award named after him."
The 33-year-old only found out he was Aboriginal when he was a teenager, saying his Nanna had been reluctant to reveal the family heritage due to her experiences growing up.
"We only found out because we gave her a few rums and she decided that was the thing that she wanted to tell us," he said.
Since then, the player and his family have been trying to find out more about their Migunberri heritage.
"Showing people that I'm Indigenous, I want to get that out as much as possible to try and help people understand the culture, even though I'm still trying to figure it out and understand the culture myself," Short said.
The losing side from the Perth match will have another chance to claim the Jason Gillespie Trophy two days later when the teams meet again at Adelaide Oval, with young Bundjalung singer-songwriter Budjerah to perform during Friday's match.
In partnership with AFL legend Michael Long and The Long Walk charity, Melbourne Renegades supporters will again unite for a walk to Marvel Stadium ahead of the Renegades' match against Hobart Hurricanes on Thursday.
The Little Long Walk will begin at Hub Park and include a welcome to country and smoking ceremony before supporters make their way to Marvel Stadium.
The Hobart Hurricanes will conclude the First Nations round at Blundstone Arena on January 11, with the Strikers also taking part in an ochre hand ceremony before the start of play.
