Queensland dominate Indoor Cricket masters

Queensland has taken home court advantage to another level, claiming three of a possible four titles at the Australian Indoor Masters Championships in Mackay.

The Maroons dropped only two preliminary games from 34 across the seven day tournament in Queensland’s far-north region, the first time Mackay has held an Indoor Cricket event.

More than 200 players took part in the 32^nd edition of the Indoor Masters, with New South Wales claiming the over-35s and in doing so going back-to-back for the first time since 1999.

Queensland’s three wins make it six from eight division titles across the previous two years, forging an intimidating dominance over the Masters tournament.

Cricket Australia’s Indoor Cricket Manager Paul Milo said the tournament was a complete success and the skill level was amongst the highest there has been in 32 years.

“The Indoor Masters are going from strength to strength and we are now seeing some of the best cricketers over 35 taking part in this national tournament,” Milo said.

“There weren’t too many games that were decided early which made for some extremely tight finishes, one of those being the over 35s final which came down to the last ball.

“A big congratulations to the players involved, the staff and the Mackay Regional Council who supported the event throughout the week.”

The Masters is the first of three national tournaments Cricket Australia will host with the Indoor Open Championships scheduled to begin next Saturday in Melbourne.

The Open championships are the pinnacle of the sport and will see the country’s premier Indoor Cricket players take part, with the Lord’s Taverners Shield for cricketers with an intellectual disability an integral part of the week.

Jason Floros (Brisbane Heat), Clive Rose (Hobart Hurricanes) and Kara Sutherland (Sydney Sixers) will take part in the tournament in CA’s new structure to involve marquee players from the KFC Big Bash League and Rebel Women’s Big Bash League.

For more information, scores and standings from the week, head to www.indoor.cricket.com.au.