Tasmania to field youthful men’s squad at National Indigenous Cricket Championships

Callan Morse Published February 15, 2024 at 10.00am (AWST)

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Tasmanian Indigenous representatives Brandon Kopper, Tayla Wigg, Jacob Goodsell and Lachlan Nichols. (Image: Cricket Tasmania)

Tasmania has announced a youthful men's squad for this year's National Indigenous Cricket Championships, the tournament set to take place in Alice Springs beginning next week.

The 14-player squad, 10 of which hail from the north-west region of the state, will be looking for their maiden National Indigenous Cricket Championships (NICC) title after finishing runners up to New South Wales last year.

In advance of the tournament the squad's cultural advisor, Guy Grey, has been supporting Cricket Tasmania to help connect players and staff to Palawa culture.

He said the squad is eager to represent Tasmania at the annual Red Centre tournament.

"We are excited to continue our connection with the program both culturally and through cricket," Grey said.

"This experience will give our players the opportunity to proudly represent both their families and lutruwita on the national stage, something that as a team we are extremely proud of."

Brothers Brodie and Kayden Deverell have been selected in the squad, the Wilmot Cricket Club duo returning to Alice Springs having previously previously represented Tasmania and the Northern Territory respectively.

They join Ulverstone Cricket Club allrounder Rhys French and Greater Northern Raiders quick Ben Spinks, the pair shaping as experienced leaders in a young Tasmanian squad.

Debutants in the Tasmania squad include Toby Bellchambers, Johny Devries, Toby Hutton and Jack Pearce.

The side will be lead by coaches Alex King and Will Thompson.

King, who is cricket Tasmania's General Manager of Community Cricket, said the side is looking forward to the enriching experience of being a part of the National Indigenous Cricket Championships tournament.

"We have such a strong history and connection with both the Imparja Cup and the National Indigenous Cricket Championship, and we are again excited to participate in such a remarkable cultural and cricket experience," he said.

Although having expanded its Indigenous program to include female players, Tasmania will not field a women's team at the tournament in 2024.

Instead, South Hobart Sandy Bay's Tayla Wing will represent Tasmania whilst playing for Victoria.

Having first done so in 2017, the wicketkeeper-batter has played for the Victorian side at multiple NICC tournaments.

"This season we have embarked in the first stage of developing a female program and to have Tayla Wigg represent the state whilst playing Victoria is great," King said.

"…we hope to expand on this in the future off the back of strong female growth in cricket across the state."

Tasmania Indigenous squad - men

Toby Bellchambers - Devonport Cricket Club

Brodie Deverell - Wilmot Cricket Club

Kayden Deverell - Wilmot Cricket Club

Brayden Devries - Greater Northern Raiders

Johnty Devries - Penguin Cricket Club

Rhys French - Ulverstone Cricket Club

Jacob Goodsell - Lindisfarne Cricket Club

Toby Hutton - Ulverstone Cricket Club

Brandon Kopper - Glenorchy Cricket Club

Ben Spinks - Greater Northern Raiders