NSW, Queensland too strong for Victoria and NT as Tasmania easily account for South Australia at National Indigenous Cricket Championships

Callan Morse Published February 28, 2023 at 8.00am (AWST)

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Cruz Baker top scored with 48 (45) in Queensland's victory over the Northern Territory. Image: Chris Hyde.

New South Wales has proven too strong for Victoria, Queensland was victorious over the Northern Territory and Tasmania comfortably beat South Australia at the National Indigenous Cricket Championships.

New South Wales (3-103) defeated Victoria (9-101) by 7 wickets

A 53-run opening wicket stand between Ryan Fenning and Tyran Liddiard saw New South Wales overcome Victoria at Albrecht Oval.

Fenning (32 from 28) top scored for New South Wales, partnering with Liddiard (15 from 17) to see the reigning champions surpass 50 inside eight overs.

However Victoria challenged the tournament favourites after Ryan Donovan (2-31 from four) picked up both New South Wales openers in the eighth over.

But New South Wales steadied through Brynley Richards (18* from 29) and Kobe Ross (12* from 13), with Brett Russell (13 from 17) also contributing in the successful chase.

Donovan was Victoria's best with the ball, with Bodie Jones (1-10 from 3) the other Victorian wicket taker.

Earlier in the match Victoria struggled against the New South Wales attack, slumping to 8-57.

Wicketkeeper Joshua Devine (30 from 28) and Mackenzie Casson (20 from 13) added some respectability to Victoria's score, the pair adding 41 for the ninth wicket.

Victoria's wickets were shared by by New South Wales' attack, with Leslie Smith (2-14 from four) the pick of NSW's bowlers.

Queensland (2-131) defeated Northern Territory (4-130) by 8 wickets

In search of their first win in the tournament, the Northern Territory posted a competitive 8-130 at Jim McConville Oval with opener Ethan Fitzpatrick top scoring for the home side.

Fitzpatrick struck five boundaries and three sixes in his 44-ball 61, with Bernie Lamont (25 from 16) and Greg Lewis (22 from 26) also chipping in with the bat for the Territory.

Quick Jake Coolwell (2-12 from four) was the pick of Queensland's bowlers, with Worrin Williams (1-14 from two) and Cruz Baker (1-20 from two) also picking up wickets.

A 92-run opening stand from openers Cruz Baker and Jamieson Allen saw Queensland dominate the second innings of the match.

Baker (48 from 45) and Allen (38 from 35) each struck three boundaries and two sixes in their respective innings'.

After both were dismissed after the introduction of Shane Buttfield (2-18 from three), Lachlan Marks (15* from 13) and Dylan MxcLachlan (14* from 12) picked up where the opening pair left of, completing the successful Queensland chase with more than two overs to spare.

Tasmania (6-164) defeated South Australia (8-117) by 47 runs

Tasmania produced its strongest batting performance of the tournament to date highlighted by Josh Barry's 39 (24) and captain Aaron Tuxworth scoring an unbeaten 35* (31).

Contributions also came from the bat of Brayden Devries (23 from 19) and Rhys French (20 from 13), with South Australia's bowlers leaking 16 costly extras.

Tyrell Sgroi (2-24 from four) was the pick of South Australia's bowlers, with Liam Connors (1-38 from) and captain Tyrell Sinclair (1-33 from four) each picking up a Tasmanian wicket.

Sinclair (30 from 38) was South Australia's top scorer, with Brodie Cameron (23* from 18) and Jake Calgie (22 from 19) getting starts with the bat in the unsuccessful chase.

Quicks Brandon Kopper (2-17 from four) and Trent Steven (2-3 from one) each picked up multiple wickets for Tasmania.

Tasmanian bowlers Ben Spinks (1-24 from four), Lachlan Nicholls (1-13 from three) and Josh Barry (1-20 from three) each picked up a wicket, with South Australia falling well short, Tasmania victors by a comfortable 47 runs.