In a significant boost for a homegrown sporting brand, Canberra's Southern Cross Cricket (SCC) has pulled off a major signing, securing one of Australian cricket's most electrifying talents.
Maxwell Brings Star Power to Hume Workshop
Glenn Maxwell, the dynamic all-rounder with 282 international caps, has inked a sponsorship deal with the brand founded by Canberra cricket stalwart and Australian indoor hall of famer, Vinesh Bennett. The partnership means Maxwell will now wield a bat crafted in SCC's Hume workshop, with his first outing set for Manuka Oval this Sunday.
Maxwell joins a stable of around 40 professional players already using SCC equipment, including Maddie Penna, Daniel Sams, and Blake Macdonald. However, his global profile, built from T20 stints in Melbourne, Mumbai, London, and Washington, marks him as the brand's most prominent ambassador to date.
"We're thrilled," Bennett said, noting that SCC bats are already used by roughly half of Canberra's cricketers. "Seeing Glenn with one of our bats could really see that number take off."
Manuka Oval Hosts Pivotal BBL Clash
The deal coincides with a high-stakes Big Bash League fixture, where Maxwell's Melbourne Stars face the Sydney Thunder at Manuka Oval on Sunday night. The Stars are acting as the home team after being displaced from the MCG during the Boxing Day Test—a move made ironic by the fact Australia's two-day Test against England finished early, theoretically freeing their home ground.
The Thunder arrive in the capital fresh from a victory over the Brisbane Heat, while the Stars are riding a winning streak that has fans dreaming of a maiden BBL title. Thunder batter Matt Gilkes, who scored 76 in Canberra earlier this week, acknowledged the challenge.
"They're definitely a team that's coming in hot," Gilkes said. "They've played some really good cricket... The best way to stop teams from scoring runs in the Big Bash is just taking wickets, so hopefully we can be really aggressive and take some early poles."
Local Connection and Future Growth
For Gilkes, a product of the ACT's Western District club, playing at Manuka holds special significance. "Can't wait. We feel like we've got a really good record here at Manuka Oval," he said. "We really enjoy playing here. We get unreal support from all the Canberra people."
The signing represents a landmark moment for Southern Cross Cricket, transitioning from a respected local supplier to a brand associated with international superstars. Bennett's vision of expanding the brand's reach nationally and internationally receives a powerful boost with Maxwell's signature, putting Canberra's cricket manufacturing squarely on the map.
All eyes will now be on Manuka Oval this Sunday, not just for the BBL action, but to see a global star showcasing locally made cricket gear, in a partnership that promises to reshape the brand's future.
