Cricketers hope for success

Former Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association bowler of the year Clayton Caltsounis will carry the weight of Bunbury cricket on his broad shoulders when he heads to the CSBP WA Country Cricket Championships in Perth this weekend.

The former Colts premiership captain is plying his trade with the Eaton Beavers these days and showed the Christmas break hasn’t slowed him down, hitting 60 and taking two wickets in a loss to his former side.

Backing Caltsounis in the Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association First Grade side are English import, Lancashire County Under-19 captain Chris Laker and former WA Country XI batsman-spinner Corey Fitt who slammed a superb 95 for the Blues at the weekend.

Reigning Cricketer of the Year James Hillery will also boost the batting line-up, while Tim Cooper will provide much-needed support.

There are high hopes for the BDCA side which starts its campaign against arch rivals Busselton-Margaret River at Des Penman Reserve in Perth.

Dalyellup Beach’s rising stars Liam Renton and Dan Lomax will form a dangerous attack alongside Colts opening bowler Josh Topliss.

Manuel Hunwick will make a cameo appearance in the team alongside rising stars in Jamie Martin, Ryan Smoker, Curtis Read and Blaze Rosinski.

The experience will come from wicketkeeper Brendan Jones, who has been part of Hay Park’s recent premiership success, while Colts spinner Joe Barningham will hope to trouble some of the WA country’s best batsman.

Caltsounis said he believed his side had a good bowling attack for this year’s competition.

“I don’t think taking wickets will be a problem,” he said.

“We are probably one top-five batsman short, so we will need a bit from Jimbo (Hillery) and Fitta (Fitt) in the first few days at the top of the order.”

Caltsounis said the three spinners of Fitt, Hillery and Barningham would take up a heavy bowling load with the weather expected to be hot.

The BDCA will also take on West Pilbara, Peel, Geraldton and North Midlands throughout the week.

Three other teams will represent the BDCA in lower grades.

BDCA Country Week First Grade Team

Clayton Caltsounis (captain) Chris Laker, Corey Fitt, Liam Renton, Dan Lomax, Manuel Hunwick, James Hillery, Josh Topliss, Jamie Martin, Brendan Jones, Joe Barningham, Tim Cooper, Ryan Smoker, Curtis Read, Blaze Rosinski.