Challenging task ahead for new-look Great Southern first team ahead of B-section senior country week campaign

Great Southern Cricket Association will be out to improve on their seventh-place finish of last year, when they tackle another competitive B-section division at senior country week. There will be two sides from Great Southern playing in the annual cricket competition in Perth from January 18-23, but their first XI will be chasing a more consistent campaign this year. Great Southern’s top side ended up playing off for relegation in B-section last year, having won just one of their first four matches. A spectacular century from James Barritt helped Great Southern finish on a high as they beat Geraldton by five wickets to stay in B-section. Despite several changes to their first team from last year, Great Southern skipper Lewis Barritt says his charges are well prepared. “It is a different looking team, a bit older but good cultured and everyone will get around each other,” he said. “We had a good hit-out in Albany with most of the team and played on turf wickets, which we aren’t used to. “First of all we want to win it and have fun. “We have a team that could win it or be in a sticky situation and try not to get relegated, but that’s just being realistic.” Lewis Barritt said he would lean on the experience of his brother James Barritt, all-rounder Jack Batchelor and top-order batter Flynn Cristinelli to lead the way for the new-look side. Great Southern will be in pool B of their division, with a top-two finish securing a spot in the semifinals on January 22. In their opener, Great Southern will tackle Eastern Districts at Stan Twight Reserve before facing Esperance at Abbett Park on Monday. Wednesday’s final pool game will be against Bunbury and Districts 2 at Breckler Park. Bunbury and Districts 2 were runners-up in the section last year, and Esperance made the semifinals, while on the other side of the draw Albany and Districts and relegated top-tier team South Midlands loom as difficult potential semifinal opponents if Great Southern can reach the final four. Great Southern’s second team will play in D-section of the tournament and will be captained by David Hinchcliffe. They have matches against Bunbury and Districts 3, Eastern Goldfields 2, and Fortescue in their pool games to determine their finals fate. Great Southern 1 squad James Barritt, Flynn Cristinelli, Mitchell Blakers, Mac Crichton, Devon Cristinelli, Lewis Barritt (C), Connor Hawkins, Jack Batchelor, Seb Ballard, Max Jordison, Ben Holmes, Luke Stathy Great Southern 2 squad Thomas Robertson, Bryce Hinchcliffe, Ryan Sinclair, Peter Robertson, David Hinchcliffe (C), Jakob Douglas, Brock Green, Darcy Roberts, James Douglas, Bradley Scherell, Jesse Johnston, Jamie Young, Ryan Pope