Briody happyto play role

Port Hedland cricketer Chris Briody, pictured, has been belting the ball around the park in the local league but took his game to another level at the recent Country Cup.

Selected as part of the WA invitational XI, Briody travelled to Perth for a 50-over game on November 3 at the Stevens Reserve.

The Belt Up Country Cup competition was brought in to bridge the gap between club cricket and act as ideal preparation for players pushing for WA Country XI selection.

Briody said the standard of the Australian Country Cricket Championships is a step up for all players because it was the equivalent of first grade in WACA Premier Cricket.

The WA invitational XI batted first and made 3-304 off 50 overs with Briody scoring 17no after coming in in the 43rd over.

Peel were only able to score 212 in reply, giving the victory to the WA Invitational XI by 98 runs.

Briody said it was an honour to play for the Invitational XI. “It’s the first time a Port Hedland Cricket Association member has been selected for the 50-over team,” he said. “It was a great experience and a step up with high-level cricket.”

Briody said he spent most of the innings watching the openers go about their business but took his opportunity when it arose. “When I came in, I did what I do out here each weekend and push the ball around, run hard, and we got over 300, which was the goal,” he said.

The WA Invitational X1 have won two from two in the three-game series and will now play in the final at the WACA ground on Sunday November 24.