Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association have announced a partnership with creators of the first cricket NFTs, Rario, and joint-venture partner, BlockTrust, to create a series of Australian cricket NFTs.

The exclusive multi-year gives the blockchains the opportunity to use eco-friendly technology to create NFTs of past and present players to celebrate the history of Australian cricket, create a new fan engagement tool and help grow the sport.

Additionally, the NFTs will feature officially licensed broadcast vision, through moments such as Ellyse Perry’s double-century, Steve Waugh’s final ball boundary and Scott Boland’s magical spell at the MCG.

Commenting on the deal, Cricket Australia CEO, Nick Hockley, said: “We are excited to step into the metaverse with our partners Rario, BlockTrust and the Australian Cricketers’ Association for this historic deal, which will open up huge opportunities for innovation and fan engagement.”

“The game’s deep connection with its past, the passion of our fans and the appeal of Australian cricketers to a global audience, means the incorporation of NFTs is another way that fans across the world can engage and be part of the sport.

“This is just the start and I have no doubt we will see enormous benefit for fans, players and the sport itself as we build this exciting partnership,” he said.

Co-founder and chief executive officer of Rario, Ankit Wadhwa, added: “Yet again Australia has led the way in cricketing innovation by entering the metaverse with Rario and BlockTrust.”

“This historic collaboration is a first in the cricketing world, where a national board (Cricket Australia) and players’ association (ACA) have come together to define the future of fandom with NFTs.

“Rario is a global cricket NFT platform with partners across Australia, Asia, the Caribbean and the Americas.

“With this partnership, we are excited to give cricket lovers the opportunity to own a part of the sport they love, collect memorable moments and player cards and indulge in cricket NFT based games in the Rario metaverse,” he said,

The announcement comes after the ICC partnered with FanCraze to create Crictos.