The New South Wales men and women have marched into the State and Territory finals at the 2013 Imparja Cup following a week of supremacy.
The four-time champion men’s team finished the week of preliminary matches with a convincing 69-run win over WA, at the same time extinguishing the finals chances of their opponents.
Meanwhile after a lethargic start to the competition, 2012 finalist Queensland secured their spot with a four-wicket win over the Northern Territory.
A sixth consecutive title remains in sight for the NSW women following yet another unbeaten week of competition which concluded with a demolition of WA.
NSW will be joined by an Invitational XI comprising an array of talent from across Australia in the final tomorrow.
As is tradition, the brightest talent of the 2013 Imparja Cup was selected for the National Indigenous Development Squad at a Gala dinner this evening.
In the past National Indigenous Development Squads have toured India, England and Papua New Guinea, and will again embark on a tour later this year.
Imparja Cup selectors Ray Bright, who had the task of selecting the team alongside Mark Hanton, said selection in the team will aid the development of the players.
“There has been some impressive young Indigenous talent on show throughout the week,” Bright said.
“Selection in the development squad is recognition of the performances of the week and the underlying talent of the players.
“We’ve seen how past development squad members have grown as cricketers through involvement in international tours and further exposure to the high performance system. There’s no doubt those selected this year will reap the benefits.”
Michael Bailey and Bradley Stout are the 2013 recipients of Cricket Australia’s Indigenous scholarships. They will travel to India’s Global Cricket School and spend time at the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane.
In a final round of representative honours, the 2013 Black Caps side was also named, recognising the best performers from this year’s Imparja Cup.
National Indigenous Development Squad
Michael Bailey (WA)
Ayden McGregor-Baptista (SA)
Harrison Kelly (NSW)
Adam McDermott (VIC)
Nathan Gardiner (VIC)
Ryan Lees (TAS)
Adam Muir (NSW)
Alister Divens (WA)
Dylan Fuller (NT)
Ben Abbatangelo (VIC)
Bradley Stout (QLD)
Josh Eaton (VIC)
Jake Turner (NSW)
Hayden Collard (WA)
Mark Thompson (QLD)
Coach: Barry Weare
Manager: Peter Cooley
Black Caps
Glen Martin (QLD)
Cameron Trask (QLD)
Harrison Kelly (NSW)
Bradley Stout (QLD)
Jeff Cook (NSW)
Michael Bailey (WA)
Ayden McGregor-Baptista (SA)
Hayden Collard (WA)
Steve Schumann (TAS)
Willy Nona (WA)
Nathan Gardiner (VIC)
Mark Thompson (QLD)
Cricket Australia Indigenous Scholars
Michael Bailey (WA)
Bradley Stout (QLD)
Under-18 Talent Camp - Female
Ashleigh Gardener (NSW)
Tabitha Saville (NT)
Under-18 Talent Camp – Male
Ayden McGregor-Baptista (SA)
Ryan Lees (TAS)
Men’s State and Territory Final
Saturday 23 February
5.30pm NSW v QLD Traeger
Women’s State and Territory Final
Saturday 23 February
2.05pm NSW v Invitational XI Traeger
Major Centres Division Final
Saturday 23 February
10.45am Darwin v Maraona Murris Traeger
Men’s Community Division Final
Saturday 23 February
8.30am Kalano Crocs v Allsorts Traeger
Women’s Community Division Final
Saturday 23 February
8.30am Bush Potatoes v Congress 1 Flynn
First Posted 22 February, 2013 11:10PM AEST
