Women's Indigenous XI cruise to win at the 'G while McLachlan smacks 93 in men’s final ball thriller

Jarred Cross Published November 22, 2024 at 11.30am (AWST)

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This week's second annual National Indigenous Cricket Training Camp culminated with T20 games at the MCG on Thursday. (Image: Joshua Scott)

Cricket Australia's women's Indigenous XI made light work of their opposition on Thursday with a convincing nine-wicket victory in their one-off T20 at the MCG.

The comprehensive win, wrapping the second annual National Indigenous Training Camp in Naarm, came after the men's Indigenous XI went down in a final over nailbiter earlier in the day.

After partnering in a 46-run opening stand, Tahlia Meier (39 from 49) and Tracey Williamson (18 from 14) entered the drinks break well ahead of the required run-rate, before Dharmini Chauhan (37 from 24) made her time at the crease count to complete the Indigenous XI's convincing chase of 101 with more than six overs to spare.

After her unbeaten knock, Meier told National Indigenous Times "they were coming off (the bat) pretty well" early, saying it was "good to get the win" in her first time at the camp.

*The women's Indigenous XI team celebrate a Aimee Ravot wicket* *on the MCG, Thursday November 11. (Image: Joshua Scott)*

The women's Indigenous XI set the tone early by restricting MCC to 7-100 in the first innings, lead by a Player of the Match-winning 3-17 from Wiradjuri leg-spinner Aimee Ravot.

Coming off Team of the Tournament selection at this year's National Indigenous Cricket Championships, Ravot did the damage to MCC's top order by the halfway mark, before wickets continued to fall as the hosts looked to build a defendable total.

"Definitely felt like I was good…hit my line and length…fielding was good too," Ravot said.

Earlier in the day, the men's Indigenous side felt two runs short in a nailbiter against a men's MCC XI.

After expensive early overs with the ball, the Indigenous XI turned to spin options in the middle overs, slowing the MCC XI's run rate and limiting their opposition to a moderate total.

*Dylan McLachlan hit a game-high 93 (68) in the Indigenous XI's final ball loss to the MCC XI. (Image: Joshua Scott)*

The MCC XI posted 146 from their 20 overs.

In response, Kamilaroi keeper-batter Dylan McLachlan struck nine 4s and five 6s on his way to an unbeaten 93, but was caught at the non-striker's end in the final balls of the chase, unable to pull off victory a final-ball victory.

With 13 required from the final over, consecutive boundaries brought the win within reach before the MCC XI applied the brakes to hold on by a run.

"I really thought we had the choccies there…but that's cricket," McLachlan told National Indigenous Times.

He joked it was "good to correct" his last time out in the middle - a duck, at the MCG.

*A smoking ceremony was held between matches. (Image: Joshua Scott)*

McLachlan said the the camp's cultural elements combined with the opportunity to play where the "greats go about it" made the camp an "awesome experience".

Wurundeji senior Elder, Aunty Joy Murphy, delivered a Welcome to Country ceremony between matches, with the two teams exchanging gifts following the results.

*Indigenous XI and MCC teams. (Image: Joshua Scott)*

Earlier in the week, Cricket Australia announced more regular fixtures for the national Indigenous team across a three-year government partnership under their latest Reconciliation Action Plan.

The National Indigenous Cricket Training Camp is delivered with support from the MCC Foundation.