Larance leads WA to cricket championships glory
Western Australia claimed the National Indigenous Cricket Championships men’s crown in Mackay as Brock Larance produced a decisive all-round performance, featuring an unbeaten 83 and two wickets, to steer the side past Victoria on Sunday.
Victoria won the women’s final earlier in the day, defeating New South Wales for the first time in the tournament.
Key Points
- Brock Larance hit 83* off 50 and took 2-20 for Western Australia
- WA chased Victoria’s 9-122, winning by five wickets with 23 balls left
- Larance’s knock featured 12 boundaries, including seven 6s
- Bevan Bennell added 22 in an 82-run third-wicket stand
- D’Arcy Short claimed 2-13 as WA restricted Victoria
- Victoria’s openers Damon Egan and Kane Hawkins added 59
- Victoria won the women’s final, posting 3-157 and bowling NSW out for 99
WA overhauled Victoria’s 9-122 at Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena, closing out the chase by five wickets with 23 balls to spare. The result followed a disciplined bowling display and a composed pursuit anchored by Larance at the top of the order.
Opening the batting, the Biripi allrounder controlled the tempo of the innings and finished unbeaten on 83 from 50 deliveries. His knock featured sustained power and selective aggression as Western Australia absorbed early setbacks before taking command of the run chase.
It was Larance’s second title-clinching performance in three years, having guided Western Australia to victory against New South Wales two years ago.
Sent in earlier, Victoria advanced through a 59-run opening stand. Former Australian Indigenous XI representative Damon Egan top-scored with 36 from 27, while Kane Hawkins provided 25 from 23. That partnership gave Victoria early momentum before Western Australia’s bowlers applied the brakes.
WA kept the total in check with compact, accurate spells of bowling as Larance delivered 2-20 and D’Arcy Short returned 2-13 and Victoria finished with 9-122.
Larance anchors the chase
WA’s pursuit was troubled early as Short fell for 11 from 6 and Dane Ugle departed for 1. Larance then stabilised the reply alongside Kalgoorlie batter Bevan Bennell.
Larance and Bennell put on an 82-run stand for the third wicket. Elijah Dare and Dekan John-Furnace departed without scoring, but Larance closed the match decisively, clearing the boundary twice in the 16th over to end the contest.
Women’s final
Earlier in the day, Victoria prevailed in the women’s final against longtime tournament heavyweights New South Wales. Victoria posted 3-157, highlighted by Emma Manix-Geeves’ unbeaten 42 from 33, before bowling New South Wales out for 99 in the 19th over.
The result marked Victoria’s first success in the women’s decider, capping a statement performance built on top-order runs and a disciplined bowling effort to close out the chase.
