Geraldton’s best cricketers gear up for country week in Perth from this Sunday

Geraldton’s quest for a fifth A-section title at the Country Cricket Championships begins on Sunday in Perth.

The opening game in the country week tournament is against Eastern Goldfields at Burrendah Park, then Busselton-Margaret River at Breckler Park on Monday.

Play resumes on Wednesday against West Pilbara at James Park. Opponents in the last two games depends on results in those games.

Geraldton’s new captain Ringo McKenna was recently selected in the Australian Country team.

“Having Zane Marwick and Jeremy Bedford is a massive bonus, they are two of our comp’s premier bats,” McKenna said.

“The team overall is good — lots of youth which is exciting and we should do all three facets of the game well. I’ll ask for effort and energy in every game and with that we’ll be right.”

In club cricket, McKenna is averaging 40.83 with the bat while he and Josh DeLacy are averaging 9.55 and 13.52 with the ball respectively.

Vice-captain Jay O’Brien, Bedford, who is keeper, and Marwick are averaging 39.85, 50 and 50.87 respectively, while Darcy Ingle, who can keep if needed, is averaging 25.83.

An interesting inclusion is young paceman Zak Williamson. Since moving to another club he’s had successive three-wicket hauls.

Jarrod Jupp averages nine with the ball and his batting has matured while Seth Farmer has pace. The rest are steady types and noted fielders.

The seconds will be led by Kade Gillingham who will also don the gloves. Though only 21 he has captained Wanderers for four seasons and has 20 country week games behind him.

“An honour to captain and B-section is generally equal in standard to A-section so a challenge,” Gillingham said.

“We have batting options with blokes that can bat in different places and options with the ball. Lots of young fellas so an opportunity for them and a good sign for the future.”

The team also has experience in Jai Russell (2022 runs and 40 wickets in 94 country week games).

The batting is thin but Jayden Pinto, low on runs this season as is Gillingham, often makes pressure runs and Archie Bougard, Matt Greenlees and Gus Heberle have ability.

The bowling with Mitch McAuliffe, Antonio Paradella, Matt and Jai Russell, Mitch March and Gus Spalding will be tested.

“My main goal is we play our best cricket and enjoy the week.” Gillingham said.

The twos open on Sunday against Newman at Hola Heath Park, followed by Great Southern at Breckler Park on Monday and Bunbury (2) on Wednesday.

GERALDTON’S COUNTRY WEEK SIDES

No.1 team: R McKenna (c), J O’Brien (vc), J Bedford, A Breen, J DeLacy, S Farmer, A Goacher, D Ingle, J Jupp, C Marquis, Z Marwick, Z Williamson. Coach: B Gillingham; manager: V Tanti; scorer: T Solomon. No.2 team: K Gillingham (c), G Heberle, A Bougard, C Doran, M Greenlees, M Marsh, M McAuliffe (also coach), A Paradella, J Pinto, J Russell, M Russell, G Spalding, T Witt. Manager: AS Paradella; scorer: M Maynard.