NSW’s Blind and Low Vision team brought home their fifth consecutive national title in their division of the 2024 National Cricket Inclusion Championships (NCIC) in Brisbane on January 25.
NSW team claims fifth straight title at National Cricket Inclusion Championships
Meanwhile, the Men’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing team finished runners up in their division, losing by six wickets to reigning champions Victoria in the grand final.
The NSW team performed brilliantly throughout the series, with bowler Rodney Baker claiming five wickets (5-2) in a round-robin match against South Australia earlier in the week.
NSW’s Women's Deaf and Hard of Hearing team captain, Shirley Liu, brought home the Player of the Series trophy in her division. This is the first time the women’s team has participated at the NCIC.
In the Blind and Low Vision division, the New South Wales team, coached by Jason Stubbs, defeated South Australia by 74 runs with star batter Steffan Nero scoring 96 in the final. Notable performances by the team also included an unbroken 250 run partnership by openers Matthew Cameron (118* off 66 balls) and Oscar Stubbs (100* off 58 balls) during a round-robin match on January 23.
Victoria claimed the national titles in the Men's Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Women's Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Cricketers with an Intellectual Disability divisions.
Jake Balnave, Head of Cricket NSW Foundation, said:
“The Cricket NSW Foundation is proud of the cricketers who represented our state at the NCIC this year and would like to congratulate the Blind and Low Vision team for bringing home the coveted trophy.
“All four of our teams showed stellar performances throughout the championships and gave their best to the game at this wonderful series that celebrates cricket and inclusion.
“A special mention to both the Deaf and Hard of Hearing teams for going the distance. The Cricket NSW Foundation proudly sends these athletes to the competition every year and we are always heartened by the results they bring to us.”