Busselton Margaret River Cricket Association pair Harry Sutherland and Alex Cooke feature in Country Cup win

A pair of players from the Busselton Margaret River Cricket Association featured for the WA Invitational XI as they claimed the Belt Up Country Cup last Sunday. Dunsborough Cricket Club pair Harry Sutherland and Alex Cooke represented the winners as they defeated the Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association by eight wickets in the competition’s grand final at College Park in Nedlands. The Invitational XI comprises of cricketers from outside the Bunbury, Albany and Peel regions, as well as players who miss selection for their local sides. Thrown the new ball after his side lost the toss and was sent into the field, Sutherland made an outstanding early impact, bowling BDCA opener Nico Le Roux with the first ball of his second over before pinning Haydn Slodecki lbw with the opening delivery of his third. The right-arm seamer finished with figures of 2-26 from his five overs. Batting at No.3, Cooke walked to the wicket with the job all but done for his side after an 82-run opening stand in pursuit of a target of just 102. He made seven from 18 deliveries before being trapped lbw by veteran spinner Tim Hutchison.