WA move to top spot after strong one-day form

The WA Country XI men’s team have begun the one-day fixtures at the Australia Country Cricket Championships in terrific fashion, shooting to the top of the overall standings today after their fifth win of the carnival in Toowoomba.

A final-round loss to Queensland on Sunday ended WA’s hopes of winning the Twenty20 title but they have started the one-day games with successive victories.

WA were far too strong for South Australia, making light work of the victory target of 151.

Aaron Burrage was the star, his five wicket haul helping dismiss South Australia for just 150.

Burrage (5-14), Albany seamer Coen Marwick (2-21) and ex-Albany resident Julian Crudeli (2-24) set the game up for their side.

Strong top order contributions from Calum How (44), Bevan Bennell (43no) and Julian Crudeli (36) ensured WA won by six wickets, taking just 24 overs to pass the score.

The win lifted WA to top spot, one game clear of tomorrow’s opponents New South Wales.

In their opening one-day game yesterday, WA prevailed by 43 runs to post their fourth win of the carnival, thanks to a superb century from Bennell.

The hard-hitting Bennell scored 128 from 133 balls and was well supported by Julian Crudeli (38) and Great Southern representative Jeremy Wood (34no) as WA posted 7-245 from their 50 overs.

Albany fast bowler Nathan Crudeli and his older brother, Julian, got WA off to a great start with the ball, as Victoria slumped to 3-9 and when Katanning-raised Jacob Wintle snared his first wicket, they were 4-35.

Nathan Crudeli bowled WA to victory, his 4-36 off 10 overs ensuring Victoria were all out for 202.

Wood’s innings of 34 was his best of the tournament thus far as captain while he returned 1-12 in their win over South Australia.

The defending one-day and overall champions began the new tour well as they won their opening two T20s against Victoria and South Australia on Friday but suffered a tense five-run loss to New South Wales on Saturday.

WA hit back against newcomers the Australian Capital Territory later on Saturday but needing to win their clash on Sunday against Queensland to be a hope of finishing at the top of the standings, WA went down on the final ball.

On the back of half centuries from Goldfields’ Bennell and Pilbara’s How, WA were unable to defend 178 as Queensland won by six wickets with one ball to spare.

WA finished third behind T20 champions Victoria and Queensland, who both won four games, but Victoria prevailed on net run rate.

Great Southern duo Hannah Felton and Georgie Middleton both contributed to the WA women’s team in their first-up loss to East Asia Pacific on Sunday.

Middleton took 1-6 off two overs and Felton returned 1-17 off three as WA were set 125 to win.

Felton opened the batting, making 18 from 27 balls while Middleton was run out for five.

In yesterday’s T20 clash, NSW made 6-117 with Middleton taking 1-17.

WA were dismissed for 55 in reply with Felton (3) and Middleton (7) out cheaply.