Bowler Brothers the Ultimate Story of Mateship and Sacrifice

WA Cricket has teamed up with Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision to promote the 2026 National Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome Awareness Week (2-8 March), affording star batter Cameron Bancroft – a player fittingly known for his determination and resilience – the chance to meet the remarkably courageous pair.

Connor and Luke, along with their parents Baz and Sharon, moved to Australia 15 years ago when they were aged five and three respectively.

Settling into new surroundings down under was relatively straightforward for the family, particularly for Connor.

A then 18-year-old Connor had his licence, a car and worked his way to a department manager role at a fast-food outlet.

Life was going swimmingly for Connor, but little did he know the words of a customer were about to change his life and those of his loved ones.

“When I was working in fast food in 2024, I was getting pretty annoyed at everything,” he said.

“I was being mean and I’m not that kind of a guy.

“I had a lady come through the drive through and said I need to go and get a blood test.

“I was a bit shaken up about it because no one really says that at a drive through.

“I went and got the blood test and then got a call from my mum saying ‘you need to come down to the hospital’.

“I got shaken up because they found out I could’ve had leukaemia.

“They did some further research and found out that I had a rare condition called Aplastic Anaemia.”

The Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome, Aplastic Anaemia is a condition where bone marrow stops making enough new blood cells.

After several stints in hospital, it became clear Connor would need a bone marrow transplant.

In a twist of fate that would strengthen their bond, Luke was a near-perfect match for the transplant, a match that only happens 25 per cent of the time.

It was plenty for Luke, then 16, to process.

“My mum and dad sat me down and explained to me what was expected and asked if I was comfortable,” Luke said.

“The day of (the transplant) I woke up at 4am and went to the hospital and had chats with doctors. I was a bit scared.”

It wasn’t easy for Connor in recovery having to deal with brain seizures, intense pain, dangerous sodium drops, and another ICU admission.

If one donation to his brother wasn’t enough, Luke was called upon three months later for another transplant to reinforce the first one.

The enormity of Luke’s generous deeds weren’t lost on Connor.

“It was the probably the proudest moment I’ve had of Luke,” Connor said.

“I can’t see him as anything else now other than my best friend.

“He’s someone I can turn to.”

WA Cricket and Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision are calling on young Western Australians to register as stem cell donors and help improve the odds for patients searching for a match.

Bancroft met the Bowler family at the WACA Ground ahead of National Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome Awareness Week and was blown away by their story.

“Chatting to the Bowler family, it was really inspiring and really touching,” he said.

“Listening to Connor and the journey he’s been on, the signs he was experiencing, to how it was making him feel and the effect it was having on him was really hard.

“It was not only the effect it had on Connor, but Luke as well and what he went through getting tested and he was a 99.8 per cent match.

“That is truly love at its absolute core.”

Throughout the Awareness Week, WA Cricket will support a series of initiatives across the state, encouraging Members and fans to donate blood and join the stem cell donor registry.

Raise Your Voice. Save Lives. Join the fight against Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes.

For more information on how to donate blood visit Lifeblood or to register as a stem cell donor, visit Stem Cell Donors Australia.