Whalers destroy Eastern Goldfields on opening day of country week after Nathan Crudeli heroics

A brilliant century from Nathan Crudeli powered Albany and Districts Cricket Association to an emphatic day one victory at senior country week in Perth on Sunday. Crudeli, a star all-rounder with Country XI experience, was simply a class above against Eastern Goldfields at Sutherlands Park as the Whalers cruised to a 167-run win. Crudeli’s ton set up a mammoth first innings score from the Whalers, falling three runs short of 300, and then he fired with the ball to snare three top order wickets as their opponents crumbled in the first 15 overs. The Whalers reached 9-297 batting first as Crudeli starred with 106 from 108 balls, including 12 fours, and shared in a 148-run stand with captain Jeremy Wood. After the early loss of Kieran Howie (0) and Coen Marwick (8), the Whalers steadied through Ted Batchelor and Lincoln Joy. Joy (59 from 66) hit the ball sweetly to reach a half century but he and Batchelor fell in close proximity with plenty of work still to be done. Crudeli and Wood then set about grinding the Eastern Goldfields attack into the ground, their partnership ending when Crudeli was removed by Glen Gascoyne. Wood had made a patient 50 from 86 balls but also fell with the score on 257 but the Whalers pushed on as Charlie Walters (16) and Patrick Butler (13no) did some late hitting. Opener Blake Willis (3-73 from 14 overs) was the only multiple wicket taker for Eastern Goldfields. In reply, things started terribly for Eastern Goldfields as Michael Noble was trapped in front by Coen Marwick and then Crudeli had Jace Reilly caught behind for a duck. Eastern Goldfields were in tatters at 5-10 as Crudeli quickly raced to three wickets, adding to his early heroics. When Coen Marwick had Aaron Offer out lbw to pick up his third wicket, things looked dire for Eastern Goldfields at 6-15. A fighting 63-run stand from Judd Kelman and Willis added some respectability for Eastern Goldfields but the result was never in doubt. Hayden Davies broke the partnership as Kelman’s 127-minute stay ended on 28 runs and the Whalers quickly cleaned up the tail after bringing Joy into the attack. The spinner chipped in with 3-16 as Eastern Goldfields were bowled out for 130. Willis was the highlight for the losing side as he hit seven boundaries in his 51 from 83 balls but the Whalers finished big winners on the opening day. Marwick was superb with 3-16 from a 10-over spell, three of which were maidens, while Crudeli was just as effective to snare 3-5 from only five overs. It was a strong first day at the week-long tournament for the ADCA as their second team were round one winners in B-section. Albany and Districts skittled Warren-Blackwood 1 for just 85 on the back of terrific returns from Steven Scott (4-8), Matt Heberle (3-12) and Jack Stephens (2-9). They passed the victory target without losing a wicket as openers Darcy Middleton and Nick Barrow made light work of the chase. Barrow top-scored with 61 and Ryan Davies belted 59 from 29 balls before retiring and they were well supported by Middleton (32), Steven Williams (28) and Jonte Eastough (26no) as Albany and Districts made 250 in reply. The Albany and Districts third team fell short chasing 140 to win against Green Range-Ongerup 1 on the opening day.