Strong Albany team itching for WACA challenge against WA Invitational XI in Country Cup opener

Captain Mitch Green says the Albany and Districts Cricket Association will field its strongest team in the Country Cup since the competition was brought back as a one-day format. The 2020-2021 Belt-Up Country Cup features four teams with Albany and Districts taking on defending champions the WA Invitational XI at the WACA on Sunday to open their campaign. Green was announced as captain this week and will lead a 12-strong side that contains Country XI cricketers Jeremy Wood, Coen Marwick and Nathan Crudeli. The team for the opening fixture was selected from an initial squad of 20, with only Nathan Crosby unavailable. There is significant batting depth with the likes of Green, Marwick, Wood, Nathan Dovey and Crudeli while Aidan Dallimore was preferred with the gloves over Jack Steel. Last season’s leading run scorer Alex Fergie was close to forcing his way in for a Country Cup debut while selectors left out Zane Marwick and Patrick Butler. Green said it was important to get the balance of senior and young players right. “We have emphasised local Albany talent in this team and guys that have been playing here,” Green said. “We have three young Albany guys representing us in the Country Colts this season in Seb Stanton, Noah Middleton and Ted Batchelor and it’s only fair they get the opportunity to play for their association. “I think it’s a pretty good side, probably the strongest team we’ve rolled out in the Country Cup of recent times. “It is well balanced, a lot of strong fielders and plenty of options with bat and ball so in terms of a one-day outfit it looks strong.” Green said it was an exciting opportunity to face some of the best country players in WA. “The whole WA Country team has been the benchmark for the last couple of years so it will be good to test ourselves against the best first-up,” he said. “That top-end class in the WA side will be hard to stop. “However, we are an association side and we play together.” WA Invitational XI will play five debutants and three players under the age of 21 in their team to face the Whalers. The WA Invitational XI will again be coached by Tim Edmunds in the new campaign. Hard-hitting batsman Bevan Bennell will lead the WA side that also contains star all-rounder Aaron Burrage and his younger brother Damien Burrage. Ex-Albany cricketer Jack Dawson will face his former teammates — he is now playing for Chapman Valley in Geraldton. Upper Great Southern’s Bailey Parsons, Busselton-Margaret River’s Haig Colombera and Eastern Goldfields pair Matt Carter and Danny Tebble will join Dawson on debut. The round one fixture starts at 11am at the WACA on Sunday. Albany and Districts Mitch Green (C), Coen Marwick, Seb Stanton, Jeremy Wood, Nathan Dovey, Nathan Crudeli, Ted Batchelor, Aidan Dallimore (WK), Ryan Kinnear, Aubin Spurr, Noah Middleton, Ben Grey WA Invitational XI Bevan Bennell (C), Aaron Burrage, Bailey Parsons, Ben Payne, Damien Burrage, Dan Gollan, Danny Tebble (WK), Haig Colombera, Jack Dawson, Matt Carter, Perrin Quartermaine, Ringo McKenna