Peel claim Boan Cup glory after downing Albany and Districts in A-section senior country week final at WACA

Peel Cricket Association have claimed the 2021 Boan Cup after defeating Albany and Districts in a high-scoring A-section senior country week final at the WACA today, led by a superb century from teenager Corey Wasley. Wasley’s innings of 157 was outstanding as Peel made 269 batting first and the total proved too difficult for the Whalers to chase down. Whalers opener Dan Rees did he best to get his side within sight of the big target but he was caught behind off Jayden De Rosa on 89 and the task grew increasingly difficult from there. Rees departed at 5-153 and Whalers captain Jeremy Wood hit two lusty sixes in his 30 off 22 balls but was also undone by De Rosa. De Rosa finished with five wickets as the Whalers were bowled out for 219 in reply. Patrick Butler (37) and Aidan Dallimore (19) chipped in but the required run rate spiralled above six runs per over in the final 20 overs and the Whalers could never get back in the game. Rees hit 11 boundaries in his 89 from 128 balls after the Whalers lost Regan Poett and Seb Stanton cheaply to be 2-39. Peel’s bowlers were right on target with De Rosa snaring 5-41 from 8.2 overs to help deliver the 51-run win while Mitch Brown was also terrific with 3-63 off 17 overs and claimed the key wicket of yesterday’s semifinal centurion Nathan Crudeli for 14. After winning the toss and batting first, Peel were reduced to 2-38 after Crudeli removed Josh Rudge for 10 and then Butler trapped Jake Wyllie for eight. Wasley and fellow teenager Teague Wyllie produced a 119-run stand that pushed Peel past 150 before the latter fell to Crudeli on 51. The middle and lower order provided little contribution with runs but it didn’t matter as Wasley went on a scoring spree late in the innings. He smashed 16 fours and six maximums in his brutal 157 from 148 balls, a match-winning knock on country cricket’s big stage. Wasley was the last man out, bowled by Ben Grey in the final over of the innings. A gallant Crudeli finished with 5-64 from 20 overs while Grey was the only other multiple wicket taker with 2-26. The win is Peel’s first Boan Cup victory since 2016. Crudeli was rewarded for his stellar carnival, winning the Barry Shepherd Medal as the best player in the tournament. The star all-rounder made 224 runs at an average of 74 and took 13 wickets at 9 to be a thoroughly deserving winner of the top individual accolade.