Cricket: Abbott is one of five

Five Albany cricketers have been selected from the Wayne Clark State under 16s carnival to represent Country WA, despite their team winning just one game for the carnival.

Collingwood Park all-rounder Brendan Abbott was selected in the country under 16s team after he won his team’s best player for the tournament along with picking up the best player for the whole carnival.

Abbott hit the highest score for the carnival with an 87 in a 50-over fixture against Metro North-West. He averaged just over 33 from five innings and contributed in the field taking six wickets, four catches and getting a run-out.

Regional cricket development officer Tim Hutchison said it was great to see Abbott have such a good carnival where he showcased his potential.

“For Brendan to be recognised as the best player in the State for his age signifies what a great season he has had and the potential for him to play at a higher level in the future,” he said.

“On the last day he put his head down and took the responsibility to try and win the game off his own bat.”

Abbott was selected along with fellow team mates Ben Grey, Ben Higgs, Shayne Wornes and Patrick Butler in a country team that will take on the WA State under 15s and the WA city under 16s in two fixtures on February 20 and 27.

“To have nearly half of the country side from Albany is a true credit to the Albany Junior Cricket Association for the way they run their junior system.”

Royals’ batsmen Higgs was also named captain of the country team.

It has been a hectic January for the boys, which included junior and senior country week along with the State carnival.

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