Father and son make Merrivale debut in cricket victory
Teenager Cruz Perry took 2-17 in his premier-grade debut playing alongside his father Clinton as Merrivale beat North Warrnambool.
Cruz Perry made his Warrnambool Moyne and District Cricket Association debut on Saturday and opened the bowling for Merrivale in a four-wicket win at Bushfield. The teenage right-arm bowler took two key wickets: he dismissed opposition captain Bailey Jenkinson for 14 and bowled Paul Kinnear for a duck.
Merrivale captain Josh Stapleton said Cruz is a good young fella and has good action. Two other new players also shone: Jagger Lynch, an under-16 footballer, finished 12 not out, and Leigh Edwards played an all-rounder role.
The Tigers restricted North Warrnambool to 105 and chased down the total despite rain cutting the match to 32 overs each side. It was a positive start after Merrivale won just two games last season.
- 2-17
- Cruz Perry figures
- 105
- North Warrnambool total
- 32 (reduced by rain)
- Match overs per side
- 2 wins from 13
- Merrivale's 2025 record
Why it mattersA strong debut performance from young players gives the club hope after a difficult 2025 campaign and shows investment in juniors is paying off.
AustraliaMerrivale's junior development strategy is starting to bear fruit in the local Warrnambool competition as new young talent steps up.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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