Albany and Districts players help WA Country XI claim Statewide T20 Community Cup for second straight year

The WA Country XI claimed back-to-back victories in the Statewide T20 Community Cup after beating Cricket West XI in a close finish at Murdoch University Sports Ground on Sunday.

Competing in their fourth straight Community Cup grand final, WA Country XI successfully defended their total of 142 to prevail by six runs.

WA Country XI thrashed WA Indigenous XI in their semifinal before holding on in a tense decider against Cricket West XI to hold the trophy aloft for a second straight year.

Albany and Districts Cricket Association players Jeremy Wood, Nathan Crudeli and Coen Marwick were part of the winning team coached by Albany’s Tim Edmunds, while former Albany resident Tim Hutchison captained the side.

In the decider, WA Country XI batted first and posted 5-142 from their 20 overs thanks to a blazing innings from Wood.

Wood smashed 45 from 37 batting at No.3 three to go with a strong top-order contribution Michael Noble (60).

Crudeli made three runs with the bat but he was the man to do the damage with ball in hand.

The fast bowler produced a devastating spell that returned 4-25 from his four overs and it included a valuable maiden to guide his side to victory.

Marwick took 1-26 from three overs to help restrict Cricket West XI to 8-136 from their 20 overs.

Earlier in the day WA Country XI made 5-141 batting first in their semifinal as Crudeli top scored with 37 from 30 balls while Wood added 22 and Marwick finished unbeaten on seven.

In reply WA Indigenous XI could only manage 8-101 as Crudeli took 1-11 from three overs and Marwick bowled tightly with eight runs coming from his three overs.