NSW women's XI lift trophy after flawless National Indigenous Cricket Championships

Jarred Cross Published February 27, 2024 at 6.15pm (AWST)

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Julie Muir holds NSW's NICC trophy after Tuesday's grand final win over Queensland. (Image: Albert Perez/Cricket Australia)

NSW have been crowned female champions of this year's National Indigenous Cricket Championship after going through the tournament unbeaten across seven games in Mparntwe.

They claimed their third win over Queensland in the grand final on Tuesday afternoon, taking the honours with a 42-run victory after setting 7/121 to chase.

Queensland lifted last year's trophy over NSW, snapping their long-time NICC dominance.

After a potent string of performances with the bat through the round-robin stages, Dharmini Chauhan steered her side towards the strong total with 63 (51 balls).

The Wiradjuri allrounder hit seven boundaries (3 sixes) on the way to her second half-century for the tournament.

Chauhan, who hails from Corrimal, recently hit 64 in NSW Country Women's Australian Country Cricket Championships round 10 win over South Australia County before her side bowed out in the first week of finals.

*Chauhan averaged 88 with the bat across the competition. (Image: Albert Perez/Cricket Australia)*

The Bankstown CC product set the benchmark averaging 88 with the bat across seven innings, going unbeaten four times, and just once bowing out without reaching 30 at the top of the order.

The 22-year-old also showed plenty with the ball, claiming 4-fa in both of NSW's wins over Western Australia.

No.7 Maddison Spence second top-scored with 16. on Tuesday.

Queensland's Grace Abdy, Tracee Williamson and Shareene McGuinness did their best to contain things, each taking 2/20-odd with the ball.

In their own innings, after Williamson, Courtney Fewquandie and Hannah Darlington each fell cheaply, middle-order batters Abdy dug in for a gritty 12 runs while Clodagh Ryall survived to the end with an unbeaten 29 (36 balls).

Williamson top-scored in last year's final with 41.

No NSW bowler went for more than six an over - Aimee Ravot their best with 3/14 off her four overs.

*Aimee Ravot celebrates a wicket in Tuesday's final. (Image: Albert Perez/Cricket Australia*)

Despite the big win, celebrations were contained to just high fives and hugs, including with opposition players, and a short recital of Sister Sledge anthem 'We Are Family'.

NSW have are eyeing off a sweep of this year's tournament with their male side meeting WA in Tuesday afternoon's final.