Cricket News - by Craig Hill

Indigenous Teams - Cricket News

Queensland Win Indigenous Cricket Imparja Cup

February 16th 2009 05:12

Queensland confirmed their dominance of Indigenous cricket by winning the 2009 Imparja Cup on Saturday night in Alice Springs, defeating Tasmania by 87 runs in the Final that was broadcast nationally through NITV.

18 year-old Queenslander Preston White capped a magical week in which he took 8-3 against Victoria and was named to tour the United Kingdom, by making 101 and backing up with 4-15 as Tasmania were bowled out for 115 in reply to Queensland’s 4-202 from 40 overs.

White’s match-winning performance backs up his six wicket haul in last year’s Final against the same opponents.

It completes back-to-back titles for Queensland, who have now won five from six Imparja Cups since 2004.

The women’s division saw a tight contest between runaway table leaders New South Wales and the gallant Bellette Cougars of Alice Springs. Batting first New South Wales made a powerful 3-112 from 14 overs before a spirited chase from the Cougars ended 20 runs in arrears at 6-92. It was New South Wales’ second consecutive women’s division title.

Queensland Imparja Cup Winning Team

The Indigenous All-Star team also had a triumphant day as they defeated the ACA Masters XI in a crowd-pleasing curtain raiser to the men’s Final.

The major centres division title was won by Alkupitija who defeated Alice Springs in the Final, while Tangentyere took out their first community division title when they were too good for the Stuart Highway Mob.

The Imparja Cup’s Presentation Dinner on Friday night also saw two significant announcements for Indigenous cricket.

Cricket Australia Chairman Jack Clarke and the National Chairman of the Lord’s Taverners, Greg Brown, agreed to proceed with the formalisation of the Lord’s Taverners becoming a major partner of Indigenous cricket, involving the Imparja Cup, the overseas tour to the United Kingdom and localised activities.

The night was capped with the naming of an Indigenous Development squad to tour the United Kingdom during this winter. The primarily Under 23 squad aims to develop players in a range of ages, while allowing for some older players to fill leadership roles. The squad was picked from performances at the Imparja Cup as well as player’s performances in club and representative cricket and will be captained by South Australian Redbacks Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield and Ford Ranger Cup player Daniel Christian, a former player at the Imparja Cup.

The squad is:

Daniel Christian (c) SA 25

Peter O’Callaghan (vc) ACT 24

Trent Clemments QLD 16

Josh Lalor NSW 21

Brad Lovell TAS 23

Ben Mainhardt QLD 19

Darcy Short NT 18

Chris Swain QLD 18

Cameron Trask QLD 19

Dane Ugle WA 20

Lewis Upton WA 16

Josh Walmsley TAS 19

Preston White QLD 18

Worrin Williams QLD 21

Coach: Michael Mainhardt (QLD)

The squad will gather at the Cricket Australia Centre of Excellence in Brisbane on 16 June for a training camp before leaving for the United Kingdom on 19 June.

An Honour Squad for the 2009 Imparja Cup was also selected and presented with the ‘baggy black’ cap for performances at this year’s carnival:

Ryan Bulger (NSW)

Barry Firebrace (VIC)

Andrew Gordon (NSW)

Josh Lalor (NSW)

Bernie Lamont (TAS)

Anthony Smith (TAS)

Chris Swain (QLD)

Cameron Trask (QLD)

Dane Ugle (WA)

Lewis Upton (WA)

Josh Walmsley (TAS)

Preston White (QLD)

The Imparja Cup is Cricket Australia’s national Indigenous cricket carnival.

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Posted By: Oracle of Delphi - Category: Indigenous Teams, Australia

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Indigenous CricKids Program Launched

February 14th 2009 05:47

As the Imparja Cup in Alice Springs reached its climax, Matthew Hayden yesterday spoke to the next generation of Indigenous cricketers at the Yipirinya School as he launched the Indigenous CricKids Playing in Harmony School program.

The program follows on from Cricket Australia’s successful Playing in Harmony resource, with Federal Government funding making it possible to have the entire resource redeveloped specifically for, and then introduced to, Indigenous communities.

“The Indigenous CricKids program introduces the Harmony themes of leadership, respect, fair play, teamwork and dealing with racism in the school curriculum,” Hayden said.

“Not only does the program help engage children in school by using fun methods but it also introduces the children to cricket and the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle.

Matthew Hayden With Indigenous CricKids At Yipirinya School

“Some of the talent I’ve seen in remote communities out here is quite amazing, and with programs like this hopefully we’ll get closer to the having the next Indigenous player to wear the baggy green.”

Hayden also visited and spoke to students at the Clontarf Football Academy in the morning to see another example of how sport is helping engage Indigenous children in education.

For more information about how schools in Indigenous communities can be involved in the program please leave a message

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Posted By: Craig Hill - Category: Indigenous Teams, Australia

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Queensland Defend Imparja Cup Against Tasmania

February 14th 2009 04:02

The Imparja Cup Final teams have been settled with defending champions Queensland to meet Tasmania in the Final at Traeger Park today, a replay of the 2008 Final. The match will be broadcast nationally through NITV (Channel 180 on the Foxtel/Austar platform) from 5:30pm (Eastern Summer Time) on Saturday.

For the Queenslanders 19 year-old Cameron Trask has been the player to watch, taking out Player of the Tournament Honours, while for Tasmania Imparja Cup favourite Bernie Lamont will be a key to his side's chances.

In the women’s division New South Wales has this morning defended their title defeating the Bellete Cougars. The Bellette Cougars put up a brave fight against the strong New South Wales side that features NSW Breakers development squad player Sam Hinton. New South Wales scored 3-112, but received a scare from the improving Cougars who opened with a wave of clean hitting before falling 20 runs shy.

Another highlight of Final day will be the appearance of the Australian Cricketers Association Masters XI, who will take on an Indigenous All-Star XI from the tournament in a Twenty20 curtain-raiser to the men’s final. International stars such as Brad Hogg, Greg Matthews, Terry Alderman, Matthew Elliott and Ryan Campbell will take part in the match.

Imparja Cup Queensland Yeam 2009

First held in 1994 as a Northern Territory community-based event between Alice Springs and Tennant Creek, the Imparja Cup has grown to become a premier fixture on the Australian cricket calendar.

The Imparja Cup is hosted by Northern Territory Cricket and Cricket Australia.

The Imparja Cup Final can be seen on Saturday on NITV at 5:30pm (Eastern Summer Time), while other matches will screen on NITV through March.

NITV can be found on Channel 180 on the Foxtel/Austar platform.

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Posted By: Craig Hill - Category: Indigenous Teams, Australia

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Matthew Hayden, Brad Hogg And Imparja Cup Day Four

February 13th 2009 23:56

Matthew Hayden’s Imparja Cup adventure in the outback continued as Tasmania knocked off reigning champions Queensland.

The biggest story of Day 4 on the field was undoubtedly the clash of last year’s Finalists Queensland and Tasmania, with the underdog Tasmanians turning the tables and defeating the previously unbeaten Queenslanders. Tasmania did it convincingly bowling out Queensland for 109 and then chasing the runs down with overs to spare, grabbing second spot on the table ahead of Saturday’s Final.

Off the field Matthew Hayden and Brad Hogg took an amazing journey 120 kilometers south of Alice Springs where they visited the remote community of Titjikala. The 250-strong population of Titjikala were treated to a surprise visit from the recently retired internationals, Hayden and Hogg experiencing all aspects of the local culture – from school and the local women’s art centre through to some breathtaking sights and digging for bush onions.

First up was a visit to the Titjikala School, where bats, balls and t-shirts were handed out and games of cricket quickly broke out, Hayden particularly impressed by the hand-eye coordination of the children in hitting the stumps with throws from the field.

Matthew Hayden and Brad Hogg have a hit with the locals

Next stop was the Women’s Art Centre, where all were fascinated by the stunning range of pieces and met the artists to get the stories behind the paintings. CA Chairman Jack Clarke was so impressed that he purchased a huge piece to take back home to Adelaide. A number of painted cricket bats were signed by the players that will be used for charity auctions at a later date.

Meanwhile a barbeque was started for the locals outside, giving the hungry travelers a chance to re-energise themselves before another game of cricket where children again displayed some brilliant raw skills.

Local woman, and cricket fan, Dora then jumped aboard with Matt Hayden at the wheel to head to Chalmers Pillar, a spectacular outlook , and as explained by the locals, inspiration for a dreamtime story of unrequited love.

Heading back to Titjikala there was one more stop as the crew were shown how to dig for, and sample, bush onions. It was here that the rough terrain proved too much for Hayden’s vehicle, a flat tyre leaving the party in a spot of bother. However the two cricketers combined in a way that cricket fans have never seen, the two bush boys Hayden and Hogg getting amongst the red dust to change the tyre together and everybody safely back to Alice Springs.

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Posted By: Craig Hill - Category: Indigenous Teams, Australia

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Cricket Imparja Cup Day 3

February 12th 2009 01:30

Day 3 at the Imparja Cup saw play in the senior men's division move to 40 over cricket with New South Wales defeating South Australia in the NITV feature match at Traeger Park. However off the field there was just as much action as some former greats arrived in Alice Springs. ACA Masters Greg Matthews, Terry Alderman, Brad Hogg and Wayne Holdsworth were in town and participated in children's clinics before sitting in on the NITV broadcast.

Wednesday also saw the arrival of Matthew Hayden as the recently retired Test opener made his first trip to the Imparja Cup in what he sees as a long-term role in fostering the growth of indigenous cricket.

It was Hayden's meeting with another first-timer that provided one of the stories of the carnival thus far. Morris Nona hails from Badu Island in the Torres Strait Islands, and is the only Torres Strait Island local to make the trip to this year's Imparja Cup.

Morris Nona and Matthew Hayden

Last year's community division winners the Cooktown Crocs are now participating in the major centres division and the message got through to Morris that they needed a hand for their team. Morris, who grew up idolising Steve Waugh and Matt Hayden, answered the call and travelled 40km's in his tin boat to get to the mainland and then continued his long journey with the Cooktown team.

While Morris has only really played what he terms 'backyard cricket' due to the rudimentary sporting facilities on his island, he and friends on the island follow the fortunes of the Australian team closely and cricket is as much a part of their summer life as it is to those in major cities around the country. So getting the chance to meet and chat to Matt Hayden is one great story that Morris will take back to Badu Island from the Imparja Cup.

Morris hopes to bring back his experiences to help improve the skills of his friends back home and work towards a goal to bring an entire team from Badu Island to the Imparja Cup in the next few years.

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Posted By: Oracle of Delphi - Category: Indigenous Teams, Australia

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Cricket Imparja Cup Day 1

February 10th 2009 11:40

The 2009 Imparja Cup started on Monday with Twenty20 action and defending champion Queensland opened strongly on the back of a day of individual brilliance from 19 year-old Cameron Trask.

Senior men’s division teams each played two Twenty20 matches on Day 1, with New South Wales and Queensland the only teams that remain unbeaten.

The standout performer of the day was Queensland’s Cameron Trask who started his day with a tidy 2-17 against the Northern Territory before guiding his team home with 63 not out in a tricky run chase of 152.
Trask’s day got even better in the last match of the day under lights at Traeger Park as he destroyed the South Australian batting order in pursuit or Queensland’s 6-135, taking 5-9 to reduce the South Australians to just 45. Young leg-spinner Chris Swain also showed his abilities with the bat in top scoring with 45 not out to put Queensland in a winning position.

South Australia had earlier produced a major upset as they thrashed the highly fancied Western Australians, dismissing them for just 67. WA recovered later in the day to thump the Northern Territory by 8 wickets with Dane Ugle scoring 63 not out. Both teams are 1-1 and very much in the mix for the Final.

Imparja Cup Opening - Todd Street March

SpeedBlitz NSW Blues squad member Josh Lalor started the day blasting 60 in a tight win for NSW over Victoria and he looms as a key figure as NSW go into day 2 vying with Queensland for top spot on the table with two wins. Captain Ryan Bulger has also impressed ending with the amazing figures of 4-2 that saw Tasmania bowled out for just 66 in the afternoon, following up his 2-18 in the earlier game.

Of the other challengers Tasmania fell to NSW in a low-scoring affair but on the back of all-round performances by John Pregnall remain at 1-1, while Victoria’s narrow loss to NSW was followed with a comfortable victory over the ACT and they loom as a potential threat to their northern counterparts. David Gilliam’s 47 in game one and 3-23 in game two for Victorian stamps him as an all-round talent to watch though the week.

While the Northern Territory and the ACT have yet to register a win there has been encouraging performances, with NT stalwart Ian Redpath scoring 42 and 37 on opening day while the youngest member of the ACT team, 18 year old Danny Tye top scored with 40 for the ACT as they set a competitive total against Victoria.

Matches continue today with the final to be televised on same day delay through NITV (Channel 180 on Foxtel/Austar) on Saturday from 4:30pm.

Day 1 Senior Men’s Division:

NSW 5-173 (Josh Lalor 60, A Gordon 52) def Victoria 8-154 (K Stevens 57 D Gilliam 47 R Bulger 2-18)

WA 67 (P Thomas 3-4 K Karpany 2-10) def by SA 3-68 (A McKenzie 21)

NT 5-151(I Redpath 42 A Fett 32 C Trask 2-17) def by Qld 5-152 (C Trask 63 not out D Parrington 2-13)

Tas 6-131 (J Walmsley 45 J Pregnall 31 not out T Lee-Keen 3-27) def ACT 58 (S McGuire 3-7 A Smith 2-10 J Pregnall 2-14)

NSW 91 (A Gordon 25 Schumann 4-4) def Tasmania 66 (J Pregnall 26 R Bulger 4-2 J Turner 2-8)

ACT 7-101 (D Tye 40 N Frail 32 D Gilliam 3-23) def by Victoria 5-104 (B Firebrace 45 not out R Best 21 J Hampton 2-23)

Northern Territory 7-99 (I Redpath 37 J Feehan 2-19) def by WA 2-101 (D Ugle 63 not out)

Qld 6-135 (C Swain 45 not out) def SA 45 (C Trask 5-9)

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Posted By: Craig Hill - Category: Indigenous Teams, Australia

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