Crosby’s message to selectors

Just days after missing out on selection in the final WA Country XI squad, Mt Barker batsman Nathan Crosby gave selections a timely reminder of his talent as he blasted the WA Country XI to victory in their opening round clash of the WACA Premier T20 competition on Sunday.

The WA Country XI are using the tournament as preparation for the Australia Country Cricket Championships which start on January 3 and, after being named as an emergency for the touring squad, Crosby showed just what he is capable of with a brilliant 91 not out.

Facing University in their opening clash of the T20 competition, WA Country XI reached 7-177 on the back of Crosby’s rapid innings.

Batting at No.3, the right-hander smashed 91 runs from just 48 balls in a knock that included 10 fours and three sixes at Lark Hill.

Crosby took to Albany product Viv Paver’s off-spin in the final over as he pushed the score beyond 170.

Albany’s Zane Marwick made 29 opening while fellow Great Southern players Jeremy Wood (0) and Nathan Crudeli (1) failed to have an impact with the bat.

Crudeli (1-16 off three overs) knocked over Paver for a duck in the first over of the run chase but University steadily fought their way back into the match after a 116-run partnership between Will Jacks and Christopher Sabburg.

Wood (2-31 off four) delivered the crucial breakthrough, removing Sabburg for 55 and then Jacks became the Mt Barker product’s second scalp on 69 to leave University at 4-135.

The WA Country XI restricted their opponents to 7-149 as they recorded a 28-run win first-up.

WA County XI then faced Rockingham-Mandurah at the same venue in their second match but lost by three wickets after only making 112 batting first.

Bunbury’s Tom Buchanan top scored with 52, but the Great Southern players struggled as Marwick (9), Crosby (1) and Wood (3) all fell cheaply.

Crudeli claimed a second big scalp of the day, dismissing Dane Ugle for a duck and he finished with 1-25 off his four overs and Marwick chipped in with 2-7 but Rockingham-Mandurah got home with eight balls to spare and two wickets left.

The case to leave Crosby out of the final 14-man squad must have been a tough one after a season that has produced 653 runs from 13 innings.

The 26-year-old has scored one century and seven half centuries and is averaging 65.3, taking in scores for the WA Country XI, Albany Cricket Association, Mt Barker and Wanderers.