WA Invitational XI win Country Cup

A century from skipper Tim Hutchison and a superb all-round bowling performance has led the WA Invitational XI to a 36-run victory over the Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association in the Country Cup Final at the WACA today.

Hutchison scored 107 to lead the WA Invitational XI to 6/250 from their 50 overs, before they bowled out the BDCA for 214.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, the WA Invitational XI got off to a great start with Perrin Quartermaine and Hutchison finding the gap with ease.

But a fantastic spell from young quick Liam Renton (3-39 off nine overs) caused a mini collapse, with Quartermaine (37), Bevan Bennell (0) and Aaron Burrage (7) all being dismissed within three overs.

It could have been four quick wickets if wicketkeeper Paul Jones had held a regulation catch from Rodney Ford, who edged a Rodney Shemeld delivery straight into his gloves early in his innings.

This came back to hurt the BDCA, with Ford and Hutchison combining for a 107-run stand before the former was stumped by Jones off the bowling of BDCA captain Reece O’Connell (1-53 off 10 overs).

Jay Collard did his best to up the run rate, smashing two big sixes in his cameo 26 off just 20 balls, but he eventually hauled out to long off thanks to some smart bowling from Cruize Ciallella (1-14 off two overs).

Hutchison’s fantastic innings was eventually ended when he was run out by O’Connell, chasing an unlikely single with four balls left in the innings.

The BDCA got off to a flier in their run chase, with O’Connell and Jono Whitney finding runs with ease.

But Hutchison’s decision to open with left-arm spinner Daniel Abel paid dividends, when he bowled O’Connell for just eight.

France was causing some trouble to the batsmen, but bowled a couple of poor deliveries which were dispatched to the fence.

France was rewarded though when he bowled Whitney for just 17, when the batsman mistimed a straight drive.

He then got the big wicket of Murray Goodwin (10), who knicked one through to the keeper, before Tom Buchanan (3) was subjected to a similar fate.

Batsman Chris Marrow is doing his best to get the BDCA over the line, compiling 65 runs from 69 balls before he was run out trying to get a second run after hitting it to deep midwicket.

Marrow and Shemeld put on a 54-run partnership for the fifth wicket, before Hutchison (3-51 off 10 overs) bowled Shemeld for just 17.

Hutchison continued to torment the BDCA, taking the wicket of Hewson (9) and Ciallella (20).

A late fight back from Joe Barningham (30) could not stop the Country XI from getting the win.