WA boys savour twin country titles

WA Country have pulled off a remarkable campaign at the Australian Country Cricket Championships, winning both the overall and one-day titles in Shepparton, Victoria last week, with six Great Southern representatives among the successful side.

Batsman Zane Marwick, fast bowler Nathan Crudeli and victorious coach Tim Edmunds were all recognised with selection in the All-Australian XII after superb carnivals helped WA emerge champions.

That trio was joined by Jeremy Wood, Patrick Butler and Nathan Crosby in the history-making WA side, who won seven straight games to deliver double silverware.

WA secured their first title at the ACCC since 2014, when they claimed a double-bonus-point win over South Australia last Wednesday to set up an unassailable buffer at the top of the standings.

However, they were not done with yet, beating New South Wales in a dead-rubber 50-over game on Thursday to head into Friday’s one-day final undefeated in that format.

Up against Victoria in the decider, WA made 188 batting first after a half-century from captain and former Albany resident Tim Hutchison and Crosby’s best innings of the championships, 42 runs off 75 balls.

Victoria began their chase brightly before the WA spinners took charge, led by Butler, who again showed his value as the team’s frontline spinner.

Butler snared 4-14 from 7.4 overs and was well supported by fellow spinners Dan Abel (3-31) and Marwick (2-20) as WA bowled their opponents out for 119.

The 69-run win capped off a remarkable tournament for WA, who won both the overall and one-day titles despite losing their first two Twenty20 games.

Edmunds said the achievement was reward for the touring party’s dedication to excellence and ruthless winning attitude.

“Going into the one-dayers at 2-2 and third overall, at that stage we certainly knew we were good enough,” Edmunds said.

“What transpired against South Australia was remarkable and what we’d done leading up to be in that position.

“The boys, despite winning on Thursday, firstly wanted to beat NSW and prove we were the best side by beating everyone and it was just remarkable the momentum and belief in our group.

“We just wanted to win and have that feeling walking off. To win seven straight is pretty well unheard of in this competition.

“All 14 played their role or had their moments and it was a special few days for us all.”