WA face defining day eight clash to book grand final spot

WA Country XI men’s team face a must-win game against Queensland tomorrow to keep their hopes of back-to-back titles at the Australian Country Cricket Championships alive, after losing to Australian Capital Territory today.

Dominant victories over Victoria, South Australia and then New South Wales in the one-day part of the tournament had pushed WA to the top of the standings earlier this week and in the box seat to qualify for Saturday’s championship deciding final.

However a slip-up against ACT and wins from Queensland and Victoria has left the race for the final down to three teams heading into day eight.

ACT batted first today but WA removed their rivals for just 123 after Katanning’s Jacob Wintle and Peel’s Aaron Burrage snared six wickets between themselves.

Wintle collected 3-29 off 10 overs and Aaron Burrage bowled five maidens in his spell that yielded 3-12.

WA lost constant wickets in the run chase, never settling and they were skittled for 89 in the end as Albany all-rounder Nathan Crudeli ran out of partners.

Nathan Crudeli made 19 not out, one of only four players to reach double figures in their worst display of the carnival.

WA face Queensland tomorrow and Victoria are the third team in the hunt to play in the grand final.

Earlier in the week WA chalked up three consecutive one-day victories.

Batting first against NSW, Goldfields’ Bevan Bennell continued his run-fest at the championships as his 88 runs was the catalyst for WA reaching 8-262.

Bennell, who has made 464 runs at an average of 66, hit three sixes and seven boundaries while sharing in a 111-run stand with ex-Albany resident Julian Crudeli.

After the loss of openers Aaron Burrage (19) and Calum How (24), Bennell and Julian Crudeli anchored the WA innings.

Julian Crudeli was run out for 63 and a late cameo from Damien Burrage put WA in control.

Mt Barker product and WA skipper Jeremy Wood made 11 off 15 balls and Nathan Crudeli was one not out as his side finished with a late flurry.

A wicket in the very first ball of NSW’s run chase was just what WA were after, Julian Crudeli removing Aaron Wivell for a golden duck.

Requiring more than five runs per over to chase down 263 for victory, NSW were all out for 179.

Wood was superb with the ball, taking 3-31 and Coen Marwick helped secure victory with 2-23 late in the piece.

WA recorded a crushing six-wicket win over South Australia on Tuesday on the back of a five-wicket haul from Aaron Burrage.

Burrage ripped through South Australia, snaring 5-14 to help dismiss them for just 150.

He was well supported by Albany seamer Marwick (2-21 off 8.2 overs) and Julian Crudeli (2-24).

How (44), Bennell (43 not out) and Julian Crudeli (36) went about the run chase calmly as WA lost only four wickets and needed 24 overs to secure victory.

It was their second straight one-day win after a 43-run triumph over Victoria on Monday, where Bennell scored 128.