NSW Dominates National Cricket Inclusion Championships, Securing Seventh Consecutive Title
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NSW teams have once again demonstrated their prowess at the National Cricket Inclusion Championships (NCIC), culminating in a remarkable seventh consecutive title for the Blind and Low Vision Mixed team at the 2026 edition held in Perth. The success extends beyond a single team, showcasing the depth of talent and commitment within NSW’s inclusive cricket program.
The NCIC tournament saw participation from four NSW squads – the Blind and Low Vision Mixed team, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Men’s team, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Women’s team, and a team comprised of Cricketers with an Intellectual Disability (ID). The participation of all four teams was made possible through the generous support of the Cricket NSW Foundation.
Blind and Low Vision Team Claims Championship Title
In a commanding performance, the NSW Blind and Low Vision Mixed team defeated South Australia in the final. Batting first, they posted an imposing total of 2/332 off 20 overs, fueled by a sensational innings from Steffan Nero, who smashed 141 runs off just 44 balls. Nero received crucial support from Matthew Cameron (74 runs), Stephen Palmer (43 not out), and Lincoln Muddle (36 runs). South Australia struggled to respond, finishing their innings at 2/257.
Throughout the tournament, Nero and Cameron emerged as the team’s batting stars, accumulating 349 and 315 runs respectively. Captain Lindsay Heaven led the bowling attack with an impressive nine wickets, solidifying his position as a key player.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Men’s Team Secures Silver
The Men’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing team also enjoyed a successful run, reaching the final before being narrowly defeated by Western Australia. NSW set a competitive target of 6/194, largely thanks to a brilliant knock of 92 off 47 balls by Muhammad Faizan Khan. However, Western Australia successfully chased down the total with eight balls to spare, claiming the championship.
Faizan Khan finished as NSW’s leading batter for the tournament, securing the second-highest run total overall with 261 runs. Lewis Beard proved to be a formidable bowler, taking seven wickets throughout the competition.
Mixed Results for Other NSW Teams
The Women’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing team faced a challenging tournament, unfortunately unable to secure a win in their four matches despite determined efforts. Heather Mertin led the batting lineup with 80 runs, finishing fourth overall in tournament run-scorers, while Naomi Hayman claimed five wickets, placing her fifth among the leading wicket-takers.
The Intellectual Disability (ID) Division saw NSW finish in fifth position, with Tasmania emerging as the champions. Nat Young was the team’s standout batter, scoring 127 runs, including a high score of 48 against Tasmania. Chris Aslin and Simon Schofield were the leading bowlers, each taking six wickets during the championships.
A senior official stated that the success of the NSW teams is a testament to the dedication of the players, coaches, and support staff. Cricket NSW extends its gratitude to all involved and acknowledges the ongoing support of the Cricket NSW Foundation, which is instrumental in enabling these opportunities for athletes of all abilities.
Full results from the 2026 National Cricket Inclusion Championships can be found [here](link to results).
