Photo Credit: Cricket Australia
The 2023 National Indigenous Cricket Championships (NICC) wrapped up on Tuesday night in Alice Springs, with a historic win for Queensland in the women’s division and New South Wales retaining the national title in the men’s division for the fourth time.
Queensland (2-81) made NICC history when they defeated News South Wales (5-77) by eight wickets in the women’s grand final at Traeger Park to claim their first national title in the championship.
The victory unseated New South Wales as the reigning champions of the women’s division in the NICC since it was formed in 2016, having previously been staged as part of the Imparja Cup.
Queensland’s leading run scorer Tracee Williamson was named player of the match with 41 runs (not out) off 28 balls.
New South Wales (9-135) claimed their fourth consecutive national title in the men’s division with a 48-run win over Tasmania (87) under the lights of Traeger Oval, remaining undefeated in this year’s championship.
New South Wales’ captain and wicketkeeper Tyran Liddiard was named player of the match with 35 runs off 22 balls and also took out the NICC Fielding Award in the men’s division.
Cricket Australia’s General Manager, Events & Operations Joel Morrison said:
“We witnessed a terrific finish to an exciting championship in the Red Centre, with plenty of great action on display with the bat, ball and in the field.
“Congratulations to the undefeated Queensland’s women’s team for claiming their first ever national title and to the New South Wales men’s team for their fourth consecutive win in the NICC.
“The NICC plays a key role in fostering connections and showcasing and celebrating the skills of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cricketers from across the country, and I would like to thank our partners at CommBank and the Melbourne Cricket Club Foundation for their support in bringing the event to life.”
Full list of NICC award winners
Spirit of Cricket Award for the Women’s Division – Queensland
Spirit of Cricket Award for the Men’s Division – Western Australia
Batting Award for the Men’s Division – Bevan Bennell, Western Australia
Batting Award for the Woman’s Division – Veronica Keen, Western Australia
Bowling Award for the Women’s Division – Christina Coulson, Queensland
Bowling Award for the Men’s Division – Wade King, Victoria
Fielding Award for the Women’s Division – Natalie Smedley, Northern Territory
Fielding Award for the Men’s Division – Tyran Liddiard
Player of the Championship, Women’s Division – Veronica Keen, Western Australia
Player of the Championship, Men’s Division – Bevan Bennell, Western Australia
