Cricket Corner: Broomehill run riot in batathon, Blue Swans name stacked Smash side, ADCA T20s return

The Advertiser takes a look at cricket stories from around the Great Southern and Upper Great Southern regions as the summer of cricket heats up in 2024-25.

Broomehill batathon

Great Southern Cricket Association three-time reigning premiers Broomehill were on track for breaking all sorts of records in their crushing 10-wicket victory over Australs North at the weekend.

The Bandicoots have been on fire this year with the willow, passing 200 runs in their past three matches before taking just 10.2 overs to chase down the Lions’ first-inning total of 6-136 in the fourth round of T20 fixtures at home on Saturday.

2024 Southern Smash draftee Jack Batchelor belted 62 not out from 31 balls and was partnered superbly by a swashbuckling James Barritt who whacked an unbeaten 63 from 34 balls.

They each belted 12 fours and two sixes as the Lions failed to find any answers to the dominant duo.

Paired with the Lions’ 16 sundries, the Bandicoots were on pace for smacking an eye-watering 280 runs in their 20 overs.

Southern Scorpions meet their Smash match

A talented Bunbury and Districts side will travel to Albany for the 2024 Southern Smash to square off in the inaugural women’s matches of the tournament’s six-year history.

Player-coach Lisa Smith headlines the strong 13-player Blue Swans outfit that will tackle the Scorpions in three matches during the Smash later this month.

Smith has represented WA at the Women’s Over-40s National Championships in the 2022-23 season and brings a wealth of women’s senior country week experience.

Talented right-hander Hollie Perkin, who hails from the UK and boasts county cricket experience, will also be a part of the travelling Blue Swans fleet.

The star all-rounder is in fine form after belting an unbeaten ton in the Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association women’s first grade on Sunday.

ADCA welcomes first T20s of the season

The first round of T20 fixtures for the Albany and Districts Cricket Association kicks off this Friday with Manypeaks squaring off against 2023-24 grand finalists Collingwood Park at Turf North.

Peaks are yet to register a victory this season, while Park has only won one game which came against their next opponents.

Royals and reigning T20 premiers Mt Barker’s first short-format match is on Friday, December 13 at Turf North.

Each side will play a T20 fixture against each team before the top two lock horns in the decider with the date of the grand final yet to be confirmed.

Bryce Jackson gets the tail wagging.

Melville Cricket Club’s first grade batting scorecard was a grim read if you’re a Storm fan, but Albany-raised pacer and WA opener Bryce Jackson dug in to help it look slightly more respectable.

The fiery right-armer strolled to the Justin Langer Oval crease against Scarborough on Saturday when his side were reeling at 6-70, but he contributed a crucial top score of 26 to help his side pass triple figures.

Jackson cracked four boundaries in his 53-ball knock before they were skittled for 109 in the 60th over.

The Melville skipper then took the new rock and bowled an economical seven-over spell at the top.

He finished with 0-16 from nine overs and the Storm had the Gulls 4-70 at the end of day one.

King Crudeli destroys castles for new club

Former Railways star all-rounder Julian Crudeli secured his first milestone for his new club, taking a five-wicket haul — four bowled —for Williams against Towns in the Upper Great Southern Cricket Association on Saturday.

The Australian Country Cricket Championships All-Australian ran rampant with the new ball at Clayton Road Oval, snaring 5-14 from nine overs as Williams skittled the hosts for just 91 in the 35th over.

Crudeli was also selected for WA in the upcoming Australian Country Cricket Championships in the Barossa Valley, South Australia, in January alongside former Tiger teammate Zane Marwick and 2024 Tuck Waldron medallist Lincoln Joy from Bremer Bay.