Country week cricket: Bevan Bennell, Julian Crudeli & Tom Buchanan among big names in Bunbury squad.

The return of Tom Buchanan and prized new recruits Bevan Bennell and Julian Crudeli headline a fresh-looking Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association side unveiled on Wednesday. Collie star Blair Malatesta will lead the side which heads to CBC country week on January 16, with all-rounder pair Brayden Clarke and Cruize Ciallella and Hay Park star Michael Tassone among the other big names. As well as Ciallella and Clarke, Marist’s Corey Fitt has been picked as the side’s premier spinner, while Eaton quick Liam Renton will lead a fearsome pace attack which includes his club teammate and leading wicket-taker Crudeli, as well as Josh Topliss and Brody D’Agostino. Ben Clarke has been rewarded for his impressive form at the top of the order for the Blues with a spot in the side. For Buchanan, his selection in the squad marks an impressive return after a season away from cricket last year. The Leschenault No.3 averages an even 50 from his five innings this season for the Green Caps. Donnybrook captain Bradman May will take the gloves. Bunbury opens its A-section country week campaign against Upper Great Southern at Hillcrest Park in Bayswater on January 16, before a crunch clash with Albany at Willeton’s Burrendah Park the following day. Bennell’s former association, Eastern Goldfields, is the final team in Bunbury’s pool, and the two sides will meet at Sutherlands Park in Gosnells on January 19. The finals start the following day, with the A-section final confirmed as being played at the WACA Ground. Malatesta, the only BDCA second-grade player picked in the side, told the South Western Times ahead of the team’s Country Cup campaign the group was hungry to re-establish itself as Western Australia’s best regional representative side. “We always say we are the best league outside the WACA but having no trophies doesn’t reflect that,” he said. “We are pretty keen to change that and show the other comps that we are.” A Peel side stacked with young talent from WACA Premier Cricket ranks defeated Albany in last year’s country week final, and were victorious again when they met the Bunbury side in this season’s Country Cup opener in Pinjarra. Bunbury bounced back in their second fixture with a convincing win in Scarborough over the WA Country XI, including a host of South West talent, thanks to a stunning four-wicket over from Eaton seamer Jacob Wintle, who will not be travelling to Perth for the tournament.