WA do it tough in Country championships

The WA XI have had a tough start to the Australian Country Cricket Championships, but two Bunbury cricketers are performing on the big stage.

Hay Park skipper Jono Whitney and Colts stand-in captain Cruize Ciallella are both in Wollongong, New South Wales representing the WA Country XI and have starred with the ball and the bat.

WA has lost both its opening matches, with New South Wales and Queensland proving too strong.

Whitney, who is captaining the WA XI, starred with the bat on Tuesday against New South Wales, top-scoring for his side with 47 in their 87-run loss.

New South Wales batted first and posted a competitive total of 6/275, with Ciallella taking 1-45 off eight overs with his left arm orthodox spin.

WA scored just 188 in reply, with Ciallella finishing not out on 15.

Yesterday Ciallella starred with the ball, taking an economical 1-13 off 10 overs in WA’s loss to Queensland.

WA batted first after winning the toss, but managed just 140 runs, with Whitney scoring 39 and Ciallella just four.

Queensland made light work of the total, chasing it down in 47 overs for the loss of just four wickets.

Whitney also bowled with great economy, going for just 13 runs off seven overs.

WA take on South Australia today in a Twenty20 match.