Saskia Horley and Arjun Nair from the Thunder visited the Murrumbidgee region as part of the annual statewide Country Blitz involving the best male and female players in NSW.

The pair of talented players has travelled right across the area from Hay and Goolgowi out to Darlington Point to talk about the benefits of getting involved in the sport of cricket.

“The kids have all been really excited,” Horley said.

“These visits are all about promoting cricket as a really fun activity. We have had some very interesting questions over the time, and it has been really good getting to know the little kids.”

For some of the players like Horley, it is a great experience to head into the country areas.

“It good to also get out because I'm from Sydney myself,” she said.

“I have never been out this far so being out here and meeting all these kids who have a very different environment around them has been really interesting.”

For Nair, the biggest thing is seeing the smiles on the kid's faces.

“I love the little kids just seeing them smile makes me happy as well,” he said.

“It is always good fun answering their questions when we do Q&As. 

“For me, it is about showing them how fun cricket is, and it is meant to make new friends and enjoy themselves. I think that is the most important thing at this age.”

Along with the question and answer sessions, the kids also take part in challenges and Nair has been impressed by their skill.

“We also have a bat tapping competition so we see who can keep the ball up the longest,” he said.

“We have seen some really good ones so far. It is just good to see how enthusiastic they are towards cricket.”

It isn’t just the kids who have gotten something out of the Thunder players coming to the areas but also the farmers doing it tough.

After making their trip out to Hay and seeing the desperate need for assistance, the Sydney Thunder alongside HomeWorld has donated $1000 to the farmers in need.