Belinda Clark AO is one of the most influential figures in Australian and world cricket. A prolific batter and inspirational leader, Clark captained Australia to two ICC Women’s World Cup titles and helped shape the modern era of women’s cricket both on and off the field.

Clark made her international debut for Australia in 1991 and quickly established herself as a dominant force at the top of the order. Renowned for her technical precision, calm temperament, and fierce competitiveness, she became one of the game’s most consistent and respected performers. Appointed captain in 1994, she led Australia to World Cup victories in 1997 and 2005, and under her captaincy the national team became a powerhouse in international cricket. In 1997, she made history by scoring an unbeaten 229 against Denmark during the World Cup - the first double century ever recorded in a One Day International, male or female.

Across her 15-year international career, Clark played 15 Tests and 118 ODIs, scoring more than 4,800 runs at an average above 47. She retired from international cricket in 2005 as one of the most accomplished players in the sport’s history. Earlier this year Belinda became the first female cricketer to be elevated to Legend status in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

Beyond her playing career, Clark is the founder of The Leadership Playground, an organisation that channels the spirit of high performance to cultivate leadership skills that make a positive difference. The Cricket Victoria Foundation works alongside The Leadership Playgound in delivering the Girls Leadership Program, which is a key deliverable under the Women & Girls pilar for the Foundation.

Chris Rogers is a former Australian Test opener and current Head Coach of the Victorian men’s team. A prolific left-handed batsman renowned for his resilience and consistency at the top of the order, Rogers enjoyed a distinguished domestic career before earning his place as a mainstay of Australia’s Test side in the latter stages of his playing days.

Rogers’ international breakthrough came in the 2013 Ashes in England, where he announced himself with a maiden Test century at Durham. He went on to play a pivotal role in Australia’s dominant 2013-14 Ashes campaign on home soil, forming a dependable partnership with David Warner and scoring heavily throughout the 5-0 series victory. Rogers would ultimately finish his Test career with 25 matches, over 2,000 runs, and five centuries, cementing his reputation as a late-blooming success story and a key contributor during a period of Ashes supremacy.

Following his retirement from international cricket in 2015, Rogers transitioned into coaching and was appointed Head Coach of Victoria in 2020.

Ned Brewer-Maiga is an accomplished blind cricketer and passionate advocate for inclusion in sport. Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, Ned has represented Australia at the Blind Cricket Twenty20 World Cup, showcasing extraordinary skill, resilience, and dedication on the international stage.

Beyond his achievements on the field, Ned is committed to creating accessible pathways for people with disability to engage in sport. As a respected community leader and ambassador, he inspires others through his leadership and advocacy, demonstrating the power of cricket to break down barriers and unite communities.

Ned’s journey is a testament to determination, representation, and the spirit of sport — values that perfectly embody the ethos of the Ashes and the power of cricket to inspire change.

Sarah is a multidisciplinary Journalist, Host, Presenter, MC, Boundary Rider and Writer based in Melbourne, Australia.

With experience across television, radio, podcasting and print, she is currently freelancing across multiple roles including AFL and AFLW reporter with Fox Footy and 3AW, social media across the Summer of Tennis and reporter for Major League Cricket.

Ken Piesse is Australian sport’s master storyteller and most published living sports author with 90 books in his CV.

He loves to tell stories about the great Shane Warne and has been a Warnie devotee ever since 16-year-old Shane had him stumped in a school match at Keysborough. Ken was sitting in row 5 of the MCG’s old Cigar Stand when Warnie flippered out Richie Richardson. He was there when Warnie took his one and only hat-trick and he was there at St John’s in Antigua when Warnie was sensationally axed from Australia’s Test XI.

Unlike Warnie whose leg-breaks spun viciously, Ken’s leggies were far friendlier. A batting allrounder, he captain-coached Frankston Peninsula’s third XI for 15 years, without even once being asked to play in the twos.

Ken’s last three cricket books have all been with Wilkinson Publishing and include The Chappell Chronicles (with Greg Chappell) in 2025, and his own memoir Living the Dreams in 2024.