WBCA takes on 2023 Country Cricket Week

With only four days until the start of Country Cricket Week, the Warren Blackwood Cricket Association are gearing up to dominate the B and D sections.

Nominated into B section, pool B, Warren Blackwood 1 will play their first game on Sunday against Eastern Districts 1 at College Park in Nedlands, while Warren Blackwood 2 will play at Gwynne Park against Esperance 2.

Bridgetown’s Hugh Mitchell will lead the WBCA’s top side as captain and will be joined by two to three players from each of the WBCA teams, including Boyup Brook, Bridgetown, Pemberton, Northcliffe, Manjimup and Forestry.

This year, crowds can expect to see 51-year-old Mason Abbott from Northcliffe take to the field to play his 100th CCW game.

Abbott can be found playing for WB2 across the first few days of the event.

Mitchell said WB1 would attempt to approach the week relaxed and with purpose, with aims to retain their B selection for the 2024 squad after a less than ideal performance in 2022.

“(Our goal is to) probably just not put any pressure on ourselves,” he said. “Just relax and enjoy the start of the week and hopefully get a win and then go from there.

“We just got back up to B grade — we got demoted to Cs then we got put back up — so it’s just a bit of a free shot to stay in Bs.”

Mitchell said last year “was a tough week” with a lot of pressure on a few of the guys to perform well, yet this year the team was even in terms of experience and ability.

“We’ve got a good mix of older guys and younger guys this year so I think we’ve got an even team this year,” Mitchell said.

“Last year there was a bit of pressure on a few of the guys, whereas this year we’ve probably got 11 or 12 guys that can help out and do the job.”

WBCA’s CCW co-ordinator Braden Gibellini said CCW would be a great opportunity for the cricketers in the Lower South West to build confidence, have fun and develop their skills.

“(I) hope the lads enjoy it again like most years and that everyone gets to play some good cricket, get some confidence up and have a little bit of fun,” he said.

“We wanna make sure it just continues to keep happening.”

WBCA Squad

WB1

Hugh Mitchell (c), Jozef Parkinson, Jack Muir, Nic Mills, Dan Ward, Kallan Fall, Dan Bayman, Darcy Walsh, Brendon White, Darren Tassos, Braden Gibellini, Craig Glancy, Connor Ipsen, and Todd Carroll.

WB2

Riley Liddelow, Kayne Aitken, Dave Jeffery, Anthony Femia, Cameron Marsh, Peter Bamess, Mason Abbott, Aaron Brown, Zack Johnston, Dean McGregor, Jesse Mills, Jono Millar, Cameron Bamess, Angelo Femia, Mat Johnston, Jared Johnston, and Harley Sparks.

B section fixtures (all matches starting 10am)

Game 1: Warren Blackwood 1 v Eastern Districts 1, Sunday January 15 @ College Park (West Turf)

Game 2: West Pilbara 1 v Warren Blackwood 1, Monday January 16 @ Burrendah Park (Oval 1)

Game 3: Warren Blackwood 1 v Newman 1, Wednesday January 18 @ Des Penman Memorial Reserve (Hard wicket)

Semifinals: Thursday January 19, details TBC

Finals: Friday January 20, details TBC

D section fixtures (all matches starting 10am)

Game 1: Warren Blackwood 2 v Esperance 2, Sunday January 15 @ Gwynne Park (Ground D (rear oval))

Game 2: Newman 2 v Warren Blackwood 2, Monday January 16 @ Coker Park (Oval A)

Game 3: Warren Blackwood 2 v Great Southern 2, Wednesday January 18 @ Alan Edwards Park

Semifinals: Thursday January 19, details TBC

Finals: Friday January 20, details TBC