Wood’s ton a shining light in defeat

A superb century from batsman Jeremy Wood was not enough for Albany to record a first-up win in the revamped Country Cup competition, going down by six wickets to the WA Invitational XI on Sunday in Narrogin.

Coming to the crease with Albany in disarray at 4-28 at Clayton Road Oval, Wood anchored the rescue mission to guide the Whalers out of trouble with his almost run-a-ball century brought up in style with a six over square leg.

WA XI seamer Liam Renton (5-35) earlier tore through the Albany batting line-up, snaring the first four wickets of the match before Wood found middle order allies.

The right-hander shared in two 47-run partnerships with Coen Marwick (15) and Nathan Dovey (19) to push the score beyond 100 before English import Riekco Parker-Cole gave the innings spark to finish.

Parker-Cole and Wood added 76 for the eighth wicket.

The young all-rounder struck an entertaining 47 from just 37 balls which featured three boundaries and a six.

Wood was eventually dismissed for 101 from 111 balls with six fours and two sixes as Albany finished on 8-224 from their 50 overs.

In reply the WA Invitational XI began positively through openers Aaron Burrage and Tim Hutchison before Parker-Cole had Burrage caught behind for 20 with the score on 37.

But Albany struggled to make regular inroads with the ball as No.3 Bevan Bennell proved hard to remove with a hard-hitting 88 not out off 101 balls guiding the WA Invitational XI to victory with 30 balls to spare.

Bennell and former WA Country XI captain Rodney Ford (26) added 64 for the fourth wicket to push their side to victory.

When Ford was run out by Albany captain Zane Marwick it gave the Whalers a glimmer of hope for victory.

However Bennell continued to find the boundary when required.

He teamed up with Arron Quartermaine (23 not out) to pass the Albany total comfortably.

Marwick was Albany’s only multiple wicket taker finishing with 2-36 with his off-spin.

Albany take on Busselton-Margaret River this Sunday while the WA Invitational XI take on Bunbury with both matches at Forrest Park in Bunbury.