Rain ruins cricketers' weekend

Bunbury's frustrated cricketers spent Saturday morning mopping up and checking under covers in the hope of playing a match.

But by mid afternoon the drizzle persisted long enough on waterlogged outfields for the covers to be stowed away as the players adjourned to the television sets for their weekend sport fix.

While cricket in the South West was a loser, there was some cheer for Australian followers with a mighty come-from behind win over India for a 2-1 ODI series lead.

WA Country XI chairman of selectors Shane Robbins and his panel also confirmed availability for this weekend’s State Country camp at Murdoch University.

Club officials will face a second frustrating weekend as key players miss their Round 3 matches for the camp, including Eaton skipper Clint Hewson, Matt Foreman and Arron Quartermaine, Hay Park’s Ross Knoll, Leschenault’s Tom Buchanan, Colts captain Clayton Caltsounis, Marist’s Corey Fitt and Harvey-Benger’s Haydn Jones.

The WA Country Colts team to compete in the Perth Pennants Sunday league competition could include Caltsounis and Tyler Robertson, Dalyellup Beach’s Adam Bilston, wicketkeeper Brendan Jones and possibly Curtis Reid.

“We (selectors and WA Country board) have named a squad and are insisting on full commitment,” Robbins said.

“In the past few years the Country XI has not been competitive in the Perth competition with regional associations and clubs persuading players to opt out of representative cricket and the only way forward is to gather prospective players in camps to prepare them for the national championships.

“The venue for the national titles is Canberra with just one scratch match on Sunday and a fixture against the State Under-19 team in late November to finalise our team.”

WA Legends Justin Langer and Geoff Marsh will be at the camp.