Burling to debut at Country XI

Albany speedster Hayden Burling will make his long-awaited WA Country XI debut after being one of three local players selected to tour the Australian Country Cricket Championships in Mt Gambier, South Australia, next month.

The uncapped Burling has been knocking on the door in previous seasons but a mixture of unavailability and non-selection has prevented him making the final 13-man touring squad previously.

Burling joins fellow Albany cricketers Julian Crudeli and Patrick Butler in the side which will compete at the annual tournament from January 3-10.

His selection came on the back of another impressive season for Collingwood Park in the Albany Cricket Association where he claimed the Umpires' Player of the Year Award, capturing 28 wickets at an average of 10.54, combined with his eye-catching performances in this year's Country XI warm-up games.

Burling played in the second trial game against the WA under-19s earlier last month where he snared 2-15 from six overs.

The 31-year-old was thrilled to learn of his selection yesterday, after being overlooked in 2012 along with playing the final warm-up game in 2013 but not making it to the championships.

"I was pretty stoked," Burling said. "I wasn't really expecting it to be honest.

"All the guys are good cricketers and there were plenty of good bowlers there so I thought I was up against it."

Burling said he was prepared for whatever role the side needed him to play with the ball.

"I am not sure where I'll sit in the pecking order," he said. "But I will be ready to go, ready to fire whatever it is.

"Hopefully the fitness holds up … I'm just excited to be going."

WA Country XI chairman of selectors Garth Nottle said Burling was extremely deserving of his place.

"He has performed well in the trial games," Nottle said.

"With his height and bounce we are hoping he can come in and be a bit of a shock tactic and trouble the batsman in four or five-over spells.

"We were looking for a bit of variation in our bowling and he provides it.

"The guys going away definitely deserve their caps."

Crudeli returns to the WA side after previously playing in winning championships in Bunbury in 2011 and Canberra in 2014, while Butler toured for the first time this year in Bendigo where WA finished fourth.

The side will be coached by former first-class cricketer Stewart Walters and managed by Albany's Tim Edmunds.