A brilliant knock by Boyd Duffield saw North Perth overcome Applecross by 55 runs to win the Belt Up WA Integrated Cricket League A-grade grand final at the WACA Ground on Sunday.
The Belt Up Integrated Cricket League (ICL), supported by the Insurance Commission of Western Australia and the WA Cricket Foundation, is a key part of the community cricket landscape across WA.
It offers an accessible format of cricket for people with disability to join teams and participate in club life. The Insurance Commission funds enabling equipment for the ICL and its players.
Granted the chance to play at one of world cricket’s most famous grounds, Player of the Match Duffield flourished with a game-defining 46-ball 92.
David Hallows (30 from 31) also made a meaningful contribution, putting on 95 runs with Duffield for the seventh wicket.
The pair guided North Perth – who were sent in by Applecross – to 156 from 19.3 overs, restricted by strong bowling spells from Joel Woodbridge (3-19) and Jonathan Flower (2-23).
Duffield backed up his batting heroics with 2-13, while Bryan Adams (3-13) and Nathan Ball (2-19) also took multiple wickets for North Perth.
Applecross’ Sean McGowan (29 runs from 34 balls), Flower (15 not-out from 15) and captain Mark De Campo (14 from 12) offered some resistance, but North Perth proved too strong at the finish.
Sunday marked the conclusion of the Belt Up ICL’s first A-grade season, after the division was introduced this year in addition to the established junior and senior competitions.
