Senior Country Week 2023: BDCA hopes for Bunbury vs Bunbury grand final with two teams in A section

As cricket associations across the state gear up for Senior Country Week, the Bunbury & Districts Cricket Association has bolstered its chances of winning back-to-back titles.

The BDCA will be sending five teams to Perth to compete in the Alcohol Think Again Senior Country Week tournament, including two teams in the tournament’s A section.

Ahead of the tournament, BDCA representative team coach Ben Clark told the South Western Times that having 24 of the association’s best cricketers going up against players from the rest of the state “well and truly” put them on the map.

“We have been working hard over the last couple of years to promote Country Week and Country Cup, for that matter,” he said.

“Our aim is to be the best association outside of Perth and winning both A and B grade competitions last year has massively helped our cause.”

Mr Clark said while a number of players would be absent from Country Week, competing with WA Country in the Australian Country Cricket Championships in Canberra, both teams were confident going into the tournament.

“While we have several boys away in the Country XI, which is another boost for our competition, we also have players in both teams to cover the boys who are away,” he said.

“We have picked a few first-timers who will be attending their first Senior Country Week, which means exposing them to the highest level of country cricket.

“All of this always helps out competition and begins to develop the future of the BDCA and hopefully some more Country XI cricketers.”

While there will be a sense of friendly rivalry between the two BDCA teams during the tournament, Mr Clark said he was hopeful of a Bunbury vs Bunbury final at the WACA.

“We are both there to win so fingers crossed we have a Bunbury vs Bunbury final and all our boys get to experience the WACA and be able to play where WA’s best cricketers, both metro and country, have plied their trade over the years,” he said.

The Alcohol Think Again Senior Country Week tournament kicks off from Sunday January 15.