Geraldton’s growing cricket strength on display with seven State country squad selections

Seven Geraldton-based cricketers have been named to represent WA at the State Country Cricket Championships. The carnival will be held in Newcastle and will features the country’s best regional talent. The men’s team has two Geraldton players in debutants Ringo McKenna and Clayton Bruce-Cherry. The strong development of local women’s cricket has been rewarded with five selections in Olivia Bidwell, Lauren Newman, Meg Spalding, Ashlyn Thompson and Jo Walker. Walker has received top recognition after being named the vice-captain for the country squad. Last year Geraldton had five players in the country State squad for the women’s, but this time around there are new faces with Bidwell and Newman making their squad debut. The 2022-23 women’s WA squad, that featured local Janelle Phillips as captain, finished in seventh place and missed out on making the finals. The State Country Championships will be held in Newcastle, New South Wales from January 3-11.