THE Western Australian Cricket Association is pleased to announce the AWB WA Country XI squad for the forthcoming Australian Country Cricket Championships.

The ACCC are being held in Bundaberg from the 5th to the 16th of January 2003.

The squad is:
Glen Dehring (Capt) - Bunbury
Brendon King (Vice capt) - Moora
Dale Burns (Deputy Vice Capt) - Mandurah
Zane Arthur - Kalgoorlie
Clinton Bee - Geraldton
Leigh Burns - Mandurah
Chris D'mello - Geraldton
Doug Ellis - Katanning
Martin Head - Margaret River
Lee Souness - Dunsborough
Craig Tonkin - Albany
Chris Waddingham - Bunbury
Tony Warren - Williams

Unofficial standby:
Kris Elliot - Wyalkatchem

The AWB WA Country XI squad was picked from the men who competed in the Don't Drink and Drive Shield, the WACA's premier one-day competition.

The AWB WA Country XI finished second in their group after the qualifying rounds to qualify for the quarter-finals.

They take on Scarborough at Abbett Park in January when they return from the ACCC.

In last year's ACCC, held in Victoria, the AWB WA Country XI lost its opening three matches to the Victorian, Queensland and New South Wales Country XI's before storming home to beat South Australia and the ACT.

Players expected to do well based on current form and their performances in last year's championship include batsmen Tony Warren and all-rounder Craig Tonkin.

Tonkin and batsman Leigh Burns were selected in the All Australian Country Side at the completion of last year's championships.

AWB WA Country XI captain Glen Dehring believes his team is a chance through its blend of youth and experience.

"It's pretty exciting actually, we've got some new young guys so with their youth and the experience of the older guys we should do all right," the veteran said. "You have to be realistic but we're a reasonable chance."

This is Dehring's seventh year in the ACCC. He was a member of the team which won the ACCC in 1997-98 - Dale Burns, Leigh Burns and Tony Warren are the only remaining members of that champion team.

Chris D'mello started the season in the Country Colts side but his superb batting performances saw him elevated to the senior team after two games.

© Western Australian Cricket Association 2002

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.