Albany name four new faces in 20-man Country Cup squad ahead of opening game at the WACA ground this Sunday

Albany and Districts Cricket Association has named a strong squad for its first two 2020-21 Belt Up Country Cup games, including a number of new faces in line for representative honours. An initial 20-man squad was named last week in preparation for Albany’s opening game of the four-team competition at the WACA this Sunday. Albany avoided finishing bottom of the Country Cup standings last season after a one-run win over Peel and they will face the WA Invitational XI, Bunbury and Districts and Peel in this season’s tournament. The Albany squad includes Jeremy Wood, Nathan Crudeli and Coen Marwick, who all toured with the WA Country XI team in January. Last season’s leading run scorer in the ADCA, Alex Fergie, is among a number of new players named. All-rounder Jarrod Gardner, young wicketkeeper Jack Steel and new recruit Nathan Poole are also in-line for selection in Albany colours for the first time. Mitch Green captained Albany in last season’s campaign and again looms as a key figure in their bid to reach the final at the WACA in February. Former WA Country XI spinner Patrick Butler has been named in the squad having played a few matches for Mt Barker last season. Star batsman Zane Marwick is the other surprise inclusion after moving to Perth and not playing for Railways locally last season. Marwick was a 2019 All-Australian at the Australian Country Cricket Championships and appears in the frame to play for Albany again. Nathan Crosby, Noah Middleton, Aubin Spurr, Aidan Dallimore, Ted Batchelor, Marcus Mellon, Nathan Dovey, Ben Grey, Ryan Kinnear and Seb Stanton make up the remainder of the Albany squad. The squad trained together on Saturday in preparation for a first-up clash with the WA Invitational XI in round one this Sunday at the WACA. Albany then host Bunbury and Districts on November 15 and their final match is also on the road, travelling to Peelwood Reserve where they will face Peel on February 7. Albany & Districts Country Cup Squad Ted Batchelor Patrick Butler Nathan Crosby Nathan Crudeli Aidan Dallimore Nathan Dovey Alex Fergie Jarrod Gardner Mitch Green Ben Grey Ryan Kinnear Coen Marwick Zane Marwick Marcus Mellon Noah Middleton Nathan Poole Seb Stanton Jack Steel Aubin Spurr Jeremy Wood