Anthony Albanese has been defeated at a charity cricket match on the iconic lawns of Kirribilli House.
The Prime Minister welcomed a host of big names for Nova’s annual sporting event – Fitzy, Wippa and Kate’s Backyard Cricket.
Mr Albanese kicked off the match by issuing a warning about his dog Toto.
“Can I make this point really early on. If everyone here gives Toto a little bit of sausage, there’s going to be a problem,” he joked.
“Don’t feed the dog.”
Mr Albanese, Susie O’Neill, James Bracey, Julia Morris, Richard Wilkins, Allison Langdon, Dr Andrew Rochford, Mick Ennis and two young cricketers Patrick and Declan were on Fitzy’s team.
While joining Wippa’s team was Kate Ritchie, Jim Jefferies, Matt ‘Shirvo’ Shirvington, Amy Shark, Ben Fordham, Michael Hooper, James Tedesco and young cricketers Jamie and Summa.
The four young listeners won their places on the teams through a promotion with MILO.
The event raised $10,000 for two charities: Full Stop Australia, one of Australia’s leading sexual, domestic and family violence response and recovery services, and Batyr Australia, which works to create stigma-free communities that champion youth mental health and wellbeing.
As he welcomed guests, Mr Albanese said: “It’s a fantastic day for good charities. A good opportunity to have fun for the right reasons.”
Nova 106.9 co-host and Olympian O’Neill opened the batting before being dismissed by comedian Jefferies, while Morris suffered an early setback after forgetting to run.
Young Nova listener Jamie produced one of the plays of the day, bowling out former NRL star Ennis.
Ritchie pulled off a diving stumping behind the wicket before opening the batting and launching a six straight into Sydney Harbour.
The match ended with Wippa’s XI lifting the Backyard Cricket trophy, with Ritchie emerging as the unlikely cricketing star of the day.
Ahead of the match, Fitzy said: “Forget Bazball, this is Hazbeenball.
“An eclectic mix of celebrities who can’t play cricket at the hallowed turf of Kirribilli House. It’s my favourite day of the year.”
Wippa added: “There’s no greater backyard for a game of cricket.
“And there’s no greater list of celebrities that have no idea how to play cricket. That’s what makes this day the most entertaining on the calendar.”