WA Men’s Aboriginal Team Set For Strong NICC Showing

Having won the title in 2024, WA narrowly missed out on a spot in last year’s decider, which was won by Queensland.

However, Davis said the group was well placed to go deeper in this year’s Championships.

“I’ve been talking to some past players in recent weeks, and I believe it’s the strongest ever squad we’ve selected,” he said.

“The group that we have selected is one that can win the tournament.

“As I’ve said to the group though, we want to take it game-by-game and focus closely on what we are doing.”

Former WA and Australian player D’Arcy Short headlines the squad, which will be led by Willetton’s Brock Larance.

Short, who has played eight One-Day Internationals and 23 T20 Internationals, played in the NICC previously and used the tournament to propel him to the international stage.

Davis said Short’s presence and experience would be beneficial for the rest of the squad.

“To have someone like D’Arcy in the team, who is still world class, is an amazing acquisition,” he said.

“With the young players in the team that are emerging, having D’Arcy around the group will help them.

“We aren’t putting any extra pressure on him to perform though because we just want him to go out there and play cricket.”

Short’s Willetton teammate Larance, who was Player of the Tournament in 2024, has been named Captain of the side for 2026.

Davis said Larance had embraced the opportunity to lead the side.

“The leadership role adds another string to Brock’s bow,” he said.

“He’s invested and passionate about the tournament and always gives 110 per cent for WA.

“When he plays his best cricket, I really think he’s as good an Aboriginal cricketer there is.”

While Larance and Short are the headline acts in the side, the father-son duo of Dane and Elijah Ugle is set to add further potency to the WA side.

Davis said there were plenty of depth in this year’s squad.

“One name that goes quietly under the radar is Craig Jones, who I think will have a really good carnival,” he said.

“He bowls a heavy ball and he can hit a big ball too.

“Dekan John-Furnace has been making some big runs in country cricket in the lead up to the tournament too.

“Then we have someone like Elijah Dare who will probably bowl a lot more this year and his off spin will add a lot more to the bowling line up.”

WA’s first match of the NICC is against Victoria on Tuesday 14 April.

Through the WA Cricket Foundation, WA Cricket provides pathways and programs for Aboriginal cricketers from grassroots through to state and national representation.