Upper Great Southern Cricket Association name strong squads for senior country week in Perth

Upper Great Southern Cricket Association believe they can reach the Boan Cup final and challenge for their third A-section title in seven years when senior country week begins in Perth on Sunday. UGSCA will field a very strong side in A-section of the week-long tournament as they look to make amends for last year’s semifinal exit against Bunbury and Districts, finishing third. A second side will compete in C-section and will also be hungry for success after losing to Peel in a semifinal, also finishing third. Upper Great Southern’s first XI is booming with talent including former WA Country XI captain Rodney Ford, young guns Tom Blechynden, Dylan Kirk and Lewis Parsons along with veteran Perrin Quartermaine and brothers Grady and Brock Francis. Ford will captain the A-section side and believes they are well prepared to challenge at the pointy end of the week. “We are definitely hungry to go a few steps better and are keen to make the final,” he said. “We were disappointed we didn’t make the final last year. “We need to make a few more runs if we are to go a few steps further. “I think we have a bit better side this year, a few of the younger guys are more mature and can take more responsibility. “We have a good mix of young and old guys and the inclusion of Brock Francis is very handy. “Tom Blechynden will bat at three or four and I think he can have a big week along with Dylan Kirk, and Brock and Grady Francis will lead our bowling attack.” With A-section split into two divisions, Upper Great Southern take on Eastern Goldfields in their opening match on Sunday before facing Busselton-Margaret River and then Peel to determine who they meet in Thursday’s crossover semifinals. In C-section, Upper Great Southern will meet Northam on the first day before tackling Avon and then Wyalkatchem in their final regular match on Wednesday before play-offs on the final two days. Uppers A-section team Rodney Ford (C) Tom Blechynden Nick Corner Brock Francis Grady Francis Kalan Joyce Dylan Kirk Ben McMillan Perrin Quartermaine Lewis Parsons Kane Pinney Matt Trevenen Uppers C-section team Blair Forrest (C) Michael Cowcher Max Evans Wouter Moolman Rob Enright Bill Schorer David Head Dylan Brooks Jacob Schorer Kade Leeson Jordan Hughes Joe Dowling