Western Australia have claimed their first women’s title at the National Indigenous Cricket Championship while Queensland won the men’s division as the competition concluded on Yuwibara Country in Mackay yesterday afternoon.
Western Australian beat Queensland by 72 runs in the women’s final and Queensland had a seven wicket win over South Wales in the men’s final.
In the women’s final proud Kunja woman and Western Australian Mikayla Hinkley dominated with the bat scoring 71 from 44 balls. A 118 run partnership off 76 balls with 16-year-old Charlotte Toohey set up Western Australia’s first National Indigenous Cricket Championships title.
Hinkley was named Player of the Final, in the Team of the Tournament and received the award for most runs after accumulating 161 at an average of 32 across the Championships.
In the men’s division, Queensland claimed their first title in 12 years against New South Wales with a seven-wicket win.
Kamilaroi man Dylan McLachlan starred with the bat with a match winning knock, scoring 73 not out. The Queensland skipper was named Player of the Final, and in the Team of the Tournament.
Megan Barnett-Smith, Cricket Australia’s Head of Social Impact and Sustainability, said:
“This week we have witnessed a celebration of cricket, culture, and community on Yuwibara Country. Congratulations to Western Australia for taking out the women’s division and to Queensland for their win in the men’s division.
“The National Indigenous Cricket Championships showcases exceptional cricket talent and widens the pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cricketers to participate at the highest levels of our sport.
“I would like to thank our partners, the Melbourne Cricket Club Foundation and National Indigenous Television (NITV) for their support in bringing the event to life and showcasing the Championships to all Australians through live broadcast for the first time.
“I would also like to thank the Queensland Cricket, Harrup Park Administration, and the Yuwibara Aboriginal Corporation for their support in hosting the National Indigenous Cricket Championships in Mackay.”
In the coming weeks, Cricket Australia will announce the Australian Indigenous Women’s Team who will be participating in the PacificAus Sports’ Cricket Invitational in June 2025.
The NICC is supported by the Melbourne Cricket Club Foundation as the official Inclusion Partner.
Full list of NICC Award Winners
Women’s Player of the Series – Christina Coulson
Men’s Player of the Series – Brock Larence
Women’s Player of the Finals – Mikayla Hinkley
Men’s Player of the Finals – Dylan McLachlan
Women’s Fielding Award – Lucy Neumann
Men’s Fielding Award – Brayden Devries
Women’s Most Wickets – Elsie Simpson
Men’s Most Wickets – Eli Sheean
Women’s Most Runs – Mikayla Hinkley
Men’s Most Runs – Brock Larence
Women’s Spirit of Cricket Award – Victoria
Men’s Spirit of Cricket Award – Northern Territory
Men’s Team of the Tournament
Brock Larence (WA) (C)
Brayden DeVries (TAS) (WK)
Tyler Latham (SA)
Dylan McLachlan (QLD)
Jack Pearce (TAS)
Pat Rosser (NSW)
Rhys French (TAS)
Eli Sheean (TAS)
Brandon Kopper (TAS)
Bradley Ilott (NT)
Pat Jackson (VIC)
Austyn Nugent (NSW)
Women’s Team of the Tournament
Mikayla Hinkley (WA)(C)
Tahlia Meier (VIC)
Christina Coulson (QLD)
Callee Black (NSW)
Tracee Williamson (QLD)
Charlotte Toohey (WA)
Lucy Neumann (QLD)
Elsie Simpson (WA)
Dharmini Chauhan (QLD)
Regina Deleeuw (WA)
Clodagh Ryall (QLD)
Abdy Grace (QLD)
