Great Southern Cricket Association win final two games to finish third in E-section division

Great Southern Cricket Association’s E-section side finished third at senior Country Week in Perth after recording three wins. There was no grand final in E-section, with the team finishing on top after the week-long tournament declared the winner. Esperance went through undefeated in five games to claim the trophy. Great Southern finished with the same amount of wins as Kalgoorlie-Boulder but were officially credited with third on net run rate. In their round five fixture on Friday against Peel at Alan Edwards Park, Great Southern successfully chased down their opponent’s total with 10 balls to spare in a reduced 30-over game. Peel were sent in to bat by Great Southern and posted 4-193, with Brad Garstone, Daniel Nazzari, James Douglas and Connor Hawkins the wicket takers. A terrific century opening partnership put Great Southern in a strong position in reply. Garstone and Lockie Bradshaw both made their first half-centuries as they put on 124 together. Bradshaw was the first batter dismissed for 59 from 63, which included seven fours, while Garstone made 68 from 52 after hitting nine fours and one six. After a mini collapse, Sebastian Ballard guided his side home as they finished on 8-196 from 28.2 overs, with the youngster unbeaten on 17 off eight deliveries. Great Southern won by seven wickets in their round four clash on Thursday against Warren Blackwood at College Park. Warren Blackwood made 8-136 bating first from their 50 overs as Josh Pinney (3-7), Sebastian Ballard (2-12) and David Potter (2-32) did the damage with the ball. Great Southern openers led the way again with Nazzari and Hawkins putting on 80 together. Nazzari made 40 while Hawkins retired on 50 and Sebastian Ballard chipped in with 25 as their side finished on 3-141 off 29 overs. Great Southern lost their third round clash to Esperance on Wednesday at Rosalie Park by five wickets. Hawkins top-scored with 44 and Pinney added 25 as they were bowled out for 161 batting first before Esperance finished on 5-163 in reply, with Hawkins (2-44) the only multiple wicket taker. Great Southern won their first game on Sunday before going down in round two on Monday. Hawkins finished as the third highest run scorer in the E-section with 142 at an average of 47.33 and he was the fourth in the wickets aggregate with nine poles to cap a terrific campaign.