History was made in Alice Springs this weekend as WA took out its first Imparja Cup, defeating New South Wales in the final of the 17th edition of the national Indigenous cricket carnival at Traegar Park.
The Western Australians remained unbeaten throughout the tournament under the coaching of former Test spinner Bruce Yardley, with all-rounder Dane Ugle capping a remarkable week of three half-centuries and consistent wicket taking by being named player of the tournament.
New South Wales batted first and were dismissed for 110 , as the WA bowling group of Dane and Keren Ugle, William Nona and Julien Feehan complemented each other brilliantly again to strangle the NSW bats. Tyson Jolly with 30 was the sole major batting contributor for the runners-up.
In reply, despite its batting talisman Ugle being dismissed for 12, WA reached the target comfortably for the loss of five wickets in a tick over 23 overs. Michael Bailey top scored with 33 as the Western Australians delivered in consolidating the flashes of brilliance shown in recent Imparja Cups, taking home the title with a mix of that brilliance along with methodical, well-drilled cricket.
The Black Caps Honour Squad for the tournament along with the Under 23 Indigenous Development Squad were announced at the Imparja Cup dinner on Friday night. National youth selector Ray Bright was Chairman of Selectors for both squads, a sure sign that the Imparja Cup is becoming an integral part of the overall talent pathways in Australian cricket.
Four WA players were included in the Black Caps Honour squad - Dane Ugle, Liam Ugle, Lewis Upton and Julien Feehan. Dane Ugle, Upton, Feehan and Michael Bailey were the four Western Australians named in the Under 23 Indigenous Development Squad.
The Under 23 Indigenous Development Squad will take on the Papua New Guinea national team in a series later in 2010. The squad contains two over 23 leadership players, South Australian Redback Dan Christian and Tasmania's Imparja Cup stalwart Bernie Lamont, along with rising Northern Territory talent Darcy Short, who will make his WA debut in this week's Futures League match against the ACT in Canberra. Two players not at the Imparja Cup who are progressing through the State pathways, Josh Lalor and Preston White, were also included.
The Imparja Cup is partnered by the Lord's Taverners and Commonwealth Bank.
2010 Black Caps (Imparja Cup Honour Squad)
John Halloran (NSW)
Dane Ugle (WA)
Bernie Lamont TAS)
Liam Ugle (WA)
Joel Liddle (ACT)
Andrew Gordon (NSW)
Lewis Upton (WA)
Chris Swain (QLD)
Michael Coulter (NSW)
Julien Feehan (WA)
Peter Thomas (SA)
Domenic Croft (SA)
2010 Under 23 Indigenous Development Squad
Dane Ugle (WA)
Kris Halloran (NSW)
Michael Bailey (WA)
Darcy Short (NT)
Cameron Trask (QLD)
Lewis Upton (WA)
Chris Swain (QLD)
Trent Clemments (QLD)
Michael Coulter (NSW)
Julien Feehan (WA)
Domenic Croft (SA)
Josh Lalor (NSW)
Preston White (QLD)
Dan Christian (SA) Senior Player Over 23
Bernie Lamont (TAS) Senior Player Over 23
