Bunbury & Districts Cricket Association set to take on WA Invitational XI in Belt Up Country Cup grand final

A loss to Albany has not cost the Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association their spot in the Belt Up Country Cup grand final, with the Blue Swans set to take on the WA Invitational XI in the decider later this month. Albany’s 21-run win over the BDCA in Eaton on Sunday saw both sides and the Invitational XI all finish the round robin group stage with 2-1 records, but the two grand finalists secured their place thanks to claiming one bonus point win each. The BDCA bagged their extra point by registering an 80-run win over the Invitational XI at Stevens Reserve in Fremantle in December with Cooper Clarke-Dehring — a Marist product who has been playing with Rockingham-Mandurah’s first grade side in WA Premier Cricket — making 68 and wily spinner Cruize Ciallella grabbing 4-30. The WA Invitational XI comprises regional cricketers from outside the Bunbury, Albany and Peel areas, as well as players who miss selection for their local teams. Their young talent was on full display in the 43-run defeat of Peel on Sunday that shored up their grand final place, with Dalyellup’s Keagan Lynch making 93 at the top of the order and Pilbara all-rounder Harry Goesch smashing 35 not out and claiming 3-27. As well as Lynch, other South West players who have featured for the Invitational XI throughout the tournament include Leschenault wicketkeeper Daniel Brabham, Colts seamers Jack Buswell and Bryn Bursill and Eaton leg spinner Riley Stenhouse. The BDCA claimed last year’s Country Cup with a three-wicket win over Peel, who finished this summer’s tournament winless, including a loss by forfeit to Albany. The grand final will be held on February 25, with a venue still yet to be determined.