Cricket Australia will team up with Xentrix Studios Australia on its animated property Snick and Willow, which includes a new TV show aimed at inspiring junior cricketers and promoting inclusivity to be produced and released shortly.
“Snick and Willow is one of the most exciting content initiatives we’ve come across in a long time. It has enormous potential to engage kids in Australia, India and right around the world who love the game, and those who aren’t yet cricket fans,” said Richard Ostroff, Head of Broadcast & Production at Cricket Australia. “The creativity of the storytelling, wonderful characters and production values are first-class. We can’t wait for audiences to see it.”
Billed as the first-ever 3D cricket-themed animated series, Snick and Willow will blend adventure, mystery and sportsmanship in a way that resonates with both young fans and families. The series will feature two main characters — Snick, an Indian boy, and Willow, an Australian girl — who are tasked with saving their local cricket club from developers by finding various cricket artefacts around the world.
“We are honored to partner with Cricket Australia to bring Snick and Willow to life,” said Ken Cantrill, Head of Creative at Xentrix Studios Australia. “This initiative is more than entertainment — it’s a movement to grow junior cricket and celebrate the sport’s unifying spirit.”
The partners note Snick and Willow reflects Cricket Australia’s commitment to diversity, gender equality and multiculturalism, aligning with its 2022-27 Strategic Priorities to engage children aged 5-12 and families from diverse backgrounds.
The impending 2025 ICC Cricket World Cup adds power to the partners’ goal of exciting young fans about the game and increasing participation for a lasting impact on junior cricket around the world.
Michelle Wade, Victorian Commissioner to South Asia, added, “The Victorian Government is proud to support the Xentrix Studios team for the Snick and Willow project that will not only inspire the next generation of cricket fans, but also a great example of the strong relationship between India and Victoria’s creative industries.”