WA win National Cricket Inclusion Champs title

Western Australia have claimed their first Deaf and Hard of Hearing National Championship (Webby’s Cup) title, breaking a 40-year drought after they defeated Victoria in the Grand Final at the 2017 National Cricket Inclusion Championships today.

With six wickets and eight balls to spare, Western Australia chased down Victoria’s total of 143 at Winter Reserve in Belmont.

Western Australia won the toss, sending the Victorians in and picking up two early wickets with the ball.

But Victoria captain Steven Cardamone (27 runs) and Tony Barulovski (36) led the revival, as their side reached 100 with six wickets in the sheds.

There was another twist when the West Australian bowlers bounced back, dismissing the Victorians for 143 off the final ball of the innings.

James Tsalakos picked up 4-20, including three wickets in the final over, while Matt Shenton made an important contribution of 3-23.

Shenton’s blistering 37 off 25 balls turned the game in Western Australia’s favour, with Syed Shah Rukh (31) and James Johnston (33no) playing important roles with the bat to see the team from the west claim the championship.

Earlier in the day, New South Wales defeated South Australia by seven wickets in the third-place playoff.

Kym Daley’s unbeaten 73 off just 45 balls saw New South Wales chase down South Australia’s total of 4-124 inside 14 overs. Justin Millard was the pick of the SA batsmen, carrying his bat for 57 runs.

Two matches were also played today in the Blind and Vision Impaired Division.

An incredible individual performance from Lindsay Heaven led New South Wales to victory against Victoria.

Victoria compiled 6-201 off 20 overs, on the back of half-centuries from Ned Brewer-Maiga (78) and Brendan Spencer (58).

But Heaven smashed 99 not out off just 55 balls, leading his side to a one-wicket win.

The combined South Australia/Western Australia side defeated Queensland/ACT by nine wickets in the other match.

Queensland/ACT posted 0-190, with Cory Heberley scoring 113 not out and Matt Kent contributing 67 not out.

However, half centuries from Steffan Nero (62 retired hurt) and Mark Haskett (61no) guided South Australia/Western Australia to victory.

Matches continue tomorrow for the Blind and Vision Impaired Division, ahead of the Grand Final on Tuesday.

About the National Cricket Inclusion Championships:

The 2017 National Cricket Inclusion Championships (NCIC) is being held in Geelong. It brings together Australia’s best blind and vision impaired, deaf and hard of hearing, and cricketers with an intellectual disability to compete for one of three titles on offer.

The inaugural NCIC, which will feature 15 teams and more than 230 players, will be staged from 17-24 January 2017. It will be the first time in Australian sport that these three divisions will be played as part of one competition.

Cricket fans right across Australia will be able to watch the Grand Final of each division via a livestream through cricket.com.au and the NCIC official website.