Upper Great Southern out to reach A-section semifinals with talented squad under skipper Bailey Parsons

An Upper Great Southern Cricket Association first XI team stacked with experience will look to return to title contention in the A-section of senior country week starting on Sunday. The top Uppers side narrowly missed out on reaching the semifinals last year, edged out in their pool by net run rate as Albany and Districts and Bunbury and Districts, who both had the same win-loss record as Uppers, progressed. Upper Great Southern finished fifth overall after a four-wicket T20 win over Busselton-Margaret River, capping a week in which they won four of their five games. This year they return with a very strong and seasoned side, led by captain Bailey Parsons. Classy batters Perrin Quartermaine (305 runs) and Kalan Joyce (275) have already made more than 250 runs this season, while Ben Sherry is also expected to play a vital top-order role. Towns star Mitch Ackland and experienced bowler Lewis Parsons will be vital parts of the Uppers attack. “We are getting to that group where the younger guys coming through are experienced A-grade country week cricketers now,” Bailey Parsons said. “Having Kendal Ballard back playing after a few years is a big bonus, and then we have a young guy like Mitch Ackland who really deserves his chance. “That balance we spoke about, I think we should be able to go pretty well. “Ben Sherry is a guy that went well last year and can really drive our batting, and Lewis Parsons is the Upper Great Southern cricketer of the year, and hopefully he can lead our bowling.” Bailey Parsons was confident his side could challenge the best associations in A-section. “We were a bit unlucky last year, winning four out of our five games and not making finals,” he said. “Early on, getting the first two wins really sets the week up. “(The goal is to) get to the semis. We haven’t played there for a few years so try and reach them, and then see how we go from there.” Upper Great Southern will start their A-section campaign against Peel Country, who won B-section last year, at Iluka Sports Complex on Sunday. Reigning champions Geraldton will be Uppers’ second opponents at Richardson Park on Monday before they round out their pool matches with a clash at James Oval against Eastern Goldfields. A top-two finish after three games will put Upper Great Southern into Thursday’s semifinals and in contention to reach Friday’s Boan Cup decider at the WACA. Upper Great Southern will send two teams to the annual carnival in Perth from January 18-23. Their second outfit will be in E-section, facing Busselton-Margaret River 3, Esperance 3, and South Midlands 2 in their pool games. Upper Great Southern 1 squad Bailey Parsons (C), Jordan Hughes, Jacob Schorer, Ben McMillan, Perrin Quartermaine, Mitch Ackland, Kalan Joyce, Lewis Parsons, Kendal Ballard, Arron Quartermaine, Mitch Smith, Dylan Brooks, Josh Brennan