How does a game played on village greens, suburban ovals and iconic grounds around the world connect to Australia’s oldest parliament and its democratic traditions?

More than 140 people attended in person and a further 40 people joined online on Tuesday evening for Parliament Unpacked: A Good Innings – Cricket and the NSW Parliament, an engaging discussion exploring the surprising and enduring connections between cricket, democracy and public life.

“It’s been a really interesting concept to be a part of and I think the audience really enjoyed it,” former Australian cricket captain and panelist Rachael Haynes said.

The event was opened by Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Hon. Greg Piper MP, before a distinguished panel took to the stage, featuring Haynes, cricket historian Geoff Armstrong, Parliamentary Friends of Cricket Co-Chairs Alister Henskens MP and Jo Haylen MP, and Parliament of NSW chamber support and cricket expert Nathan Anderson.

Together, the panel explored many of the principles that underpin parliamentary democracy that are also reflected on the cricket field, from leadership and representation to fair play, respect for rules and the enduring importance of the “spirit of the game”.

Watch the full event recording to explore the uncanny connections between democracy, the game of cricket and the NSW Parliament.