WA Country XI senior and colts sides’ premier T20 seasons hang by a thread after tough round one losses

WA Country XI’s hopes of a finals berth hang by a thread after a washout and a loss in their first-round matches of the WA Premier Cricket T20 competition in Perth on Sunday.

Country XI, who were missing run machine Bevan Bennell and Tuck Waldron medallist Lincoln Joy, suffered a tough net-run-rate diminishing nine-wicket loss to University in their opening match of the tournament at Iluka Park before their second match of the day against Joondalup was abandoned.

Bunbury and Districts’ Haydn Slodecki scored 36 at the top of the order alongside Bunbury and Districts teammate Michael Tassone who raised the bat for a much-needed 50, while Cooper Clarke-Dehring smashed 26 runs from 17 balls including three fours and one six.

Albany and Districts representative Coen Marwick (four runs) struggled to get going before falling to former Albany local Vivian Paver who finished with 2-15 from his three overs.

Country XI posted 7-135 from their 20 overs, before Paver and youngster Tom Murray rapidly reeled in the score in just the 15th over.

Paver smashed 61 runs from 45 balls with five fours and two sixes, and Murray’s 55 came from just 31 deliveries with four fours and four sixes.

Country XI’s colts team, featuring young Albany quick Cam Walsh, suffered a tough loss to Joondalup under the Duckworth-Lewis method after a rain-affected match at Iluka Park on Sunday.

Country XI were rolled for just 83 in the 17th over and then Joondalup scored at a brutal rate before their run-chase was called off during the 10th over at 2-53.

Walsh claimed the huge wicket of young WA under-19 talent Kai Orr for a duck and ended with 1-10 from two overs and added six with the bat.

The Manypeaks pacer also took a wicket in their second round match against University and finished with 1-15 from three overs before it was abandoned after 14 overs.

The heavy losses mean both the senior and colts Country XI sides are unlikely to progress out of Pool D, with their final pool matches against Subiaco-Floreat and Rockingham-Mandurah on November 3.