Mixed return for WA Country XI

Nathan Crudeli produced a terrific individual performance for the WA Country XI but it wasn’t enough to prevent his side being knocked out of the WACA Premier Twenty20 competition on Sunday.

After losing their first two matches of Group D, WA Country XI needed to win both their round two fixtures at Sutherlands Park to be any hope finishing in the top two and securing a qualifying finals berth.

The day started on a positive note as they recorded a three-wicket win over Wanneroo, chasing down 116 with four balls to spare.

Railways product Nathan Crudeli starred with the ball after Wanneroo, led by former State cricketer Travis Birt who won the toss and batted first, snared 2-18 off his four overs.

Crudeli then made six at number eight, on the back of a superb half century from older brother Julian that helped WA Country XI get across the line.

In their second game of the day the WA Country XI came up against hosts Gosnells.

Gosnells scored at more than eight runs per over and finished 3-162 led by a destructive innings from Matthew Leipold (83 runs off 63 balls).

Nathan Crudeli was the only batsman to reach double figures as the WA Country XI were soundly beaten, bowled out for 63 in reply.

Crudeli finished with 1-17 off his three overs while Julian Crudeli and Cruize Ciallella were the other wicket takers. He hit two sixes in his unbeaten knock of 21 off 19 balls as his side bowed out of the competition with just one win.

Railways’ Coen Marwick batted at No.5 and was trapped lbw for three while Mt Barker all-rounder and WA Country XI captain Jeremy Wood was bowled for nine.

In the earlier game Wood took 1-16 off three overs and made three with the bat, while Marwick was three not out as his side won in the last over.

WA Country XI are last in the Group D standings with Subiaco-Floreat, Gosnells, Wanneroo and Mt Lawley all with two games still to play.

The three current Albany and District Cricket Association representatives will now prepare for the Australian Country Cricket Championships in Toowoomba on January 3-11.