WA Country XI coach Shawn Gillies insists Albany stars left mark on squad despite injury troubles

WA Country XI coach Shawn Gillies insists Albany and District Cricket Association players had a profound impact on the touring squad despite their injury and performance struggles.

WA, featuring ADCA stars Nathan Crudeli, Jeremy Wood (both Mt Barker) and Lincoln Joy (Royals), managed just three wins from their nine games to finish the tournament second last on the ladder.

Vice-captain Crudeli suffered a calf strain while bowling in their opening match, which forced him out for three matches before returning to the team as a batter in round four.

He did not make his return to bowling until round seven on a modified run-up.

Gillies said Crudeli, who is a front-line bowler for any pace attack, was a significant loss to the side.

“Luckily it wasn’t as serious as we first thought and he was able to come back and play the remainder of the games,” Gillies said.

“Nathan bowling 10 overs of full pace is definitely hard to replace.

“I’m not sure if he would have changed the results for the games but I think it would have put us closer to winning positions in a few more games at least.”

Although Crudeli missed three matches through his troublesome calf strain, Gillies said he still had a big impact on the squad throughout the tournament.

“He commands the respect and respect to the team and he’s a great leader,” he said.

“He’s the one that can make all the boys laugh and get all the boys up and about when needed.

“We can throw the ball to him and he will put in a spell for you and is always leading by example.”

Joy, who was on his first tour, was one of the shining lights for the WA side and was named best and fairest.

“As with most of the first-time players, they were all really nervous in the first couple of games,” Gillies said.

“But once he got away in the third game and got some runs, he was fantastic.

“Then he got some overs with the ball towards the end and did really well.

“So I would probably say he was not far away from being All-Australian.”

Wood injured his knee in round two which kept him out until the final game, where he top-scored with 50 in their 93-run win over SA.

“Wood’s ability to bowl in those middle overs, which he did for us fairly well before the injury, was key,” Gillies said.

“But also with his batting, he was so determined and every time we went out to bat and really had a game plan.”