Whalers finish strongly in Perth

Some dominant batting from Zane Marwick and Nathan Crudeli, coupled with a brilliant bowling performance from Coen Marwick, allowed Albany Cricket Association’s first XI team to finish off the senior country week cricket tournament strongly with three consecutive wins last week in Perth.

After losing the opening two matches of the tournament, the Whalers all but ruled out hope of making the final, however three spirited performances in the closing days let them jump up the standings to finish a respectable third in their division of the A-section competition.

The Whalers recorded their first win against Harvey-Leschenault last Tuesday and this was backed up with a comprehensive 211-run thumping of Kalgoorlie Boulder on Thursday.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Whalers lost opener Coen Marwick for 34 runs with the score at 1-37.

Captain Ryan Kinnear and Zane Marwick worked together to put on a 111-run partnership before Kinnear was dismissed for 42.

Zane Marwick and Crudeli then combined for the side’s next 148 runs, with Marwick eventually dismissed for an impressive 129.

Crudeli soon found another partner in Nathan Dovey and the pair finished off the innings to see the Whalers to 4-371 after 60 overs.

Crudeli ended 104 not out, while Dovey chipped in with a quick-fire 40 not out.

Coen Marwick and Crudeli then wrought havoc with the ball to dismantle Kalgoorlie for 160 as the Whalers notched a comfortable win.

Marwick produced a devastating spell of bowling to finish with 6-34 off 17.3 overs, while Crudeli chipped in with 3-25 off 8. In the final round, the Whalers were pitted against the Great Southern and another massive partnership between Zane Marwick and Crudeli proved the difference as Albany recorded a 192-run win over their cross-region rival.

The pair put on 167 runs for the third wicket as Zane Marwick finished on 125, while Crudeli managed 81 as the Whalers ended the innings at 6-291.

The Whalers’ bowling attack then ripped through the Great Southern’s batting order, bowling them all out for 99.

Tim Edmunds was the pick of the bowlers with 4-28 off 11 overs, while Kinnear also claimed two wickets.

The second side, playing in the B-section, also finished in third position in their division with three wins and two losses, while the third side were last in C-section with one win for the tournament.