The ACT Rockets are primed and ready to take on the nation’s best as they head off to Perth to compete at the 2025 National Indoor Cricket Championships this week.
With a winning legacy, a well-prepared squad, and a hunger for a historic three-peat, this year’s team carries both confidence and high expectations as they head into the week-long tournament.
For seasoned Rockets campaigner Brock Winkler, the anticipation is real.
“Really excited. It's something we look forward to every year. A week long competition that only comes around once a year, we are ready and raring to go.” Winkler stated.
The competition is set to be fierce, with no shortage of challenges for the Rockets as traditional rivals Queensland, and hosts Western Australia, are expected to bring serious firepower.
“Every game is going to be a challenge; it is a really even competition this year with no easy games. There's quality in every state, so really looking forward to the challenge.” Winkler added.
What sets the Rockets apart is their remarkable depth and experience. With six current Australian representatives and a New Zealand International, the squad is packed with top-tier talent. This year, three new names join the elite group: Brad Millynn, Matthew Latham and Mitchell Gunning will make their debuts.
“I'm really excited to see them on court. we are spoiled for choice across the court, and we have really strong depth across our entire squad, so we trust anyone who steps on the court to play Rockets cricket and to do the job that we need to do.” Winkler told Cricket ACT.
Debutant Brad Millynn is excited to bring his hard work to the court.
“I'm definitely looking forward to debuting this year. This is something that means a lot to me and something I've worked very hard to get to. Just putting a lot of effort and work into where I've gotten too is really going to make that moment very special, and to be accompanied by those other boys is really going to bring that on.” Millynn said.
Millynn credits veteran players Luke Ryan and Vinesh Bennett for guiding him to this point of his career.
“Those guys have really taken me under their wing and are really showing me the path that I needed to go down, and have been willing to work with me in all the late nights and early mornings to help me get to where I am.” he commented.
Luke Ryan, one of the cornerstones of the Rockets setup and a long-serving Australian representative, spoke of the team's history and ambition.
“Every year has its own highlights and although this team has its strong core, the core group of players that have shared so many similar experiences, every national championship and every tournament brings its own stories and its own memories with it.” Ryan told Cricket ACT.
“It’s a pretty special thing we build in the Rockets with our small player base and something that lots of other states are envious of what we've been able to create and we're really looking to protect that.” Ryan added.
Indoor Cricket is a whole new level of skill and integrity to our traditional cricket. For those who are yet to witness it, here is what the boys recommend.
“Get down to your centre, play some indoor cricket, and if you’re a cricket fan jump on and watch some of the games. I have never seen a person watch indoor cricket at the highest level and not be amazed by the speed, the skill, and the intensity of the games.” Ryan stated.
Fans can catch all the action on the Cricket Australia YouTube channel from the 28 of June to the 6 of July, with updates also available via Cricket Australia’s Indoor Facebook and Instagram pages.