Albany and Districts Cricket Association celebrates successful country week as Graeme Weinert toasts 30 years

While the end-of-week highlights reel included a winner, a finalist and two third places, it was probably Graeme Weinert who stole the show for Albany and Districts Cricket Association at senior country week, which ended on January 23.

Weinert was afforded an individual presentation as the ADCA third-team skipper notched up his 30th country week in a row, making his 150th appearance in the process.

Participation in country week carnivals from 1997 to 2025 earned Weinert “legend status” with the WA Country Cricket Board.

His effort drew praise from ADCA president Ryan Tindale.

“Playing 30 country weeks in a row is a big thing and he still plays all the matches — he doesn’t just turn up for a game or two,” Tindale said.

“He still captains the side, hits lots of runs, bowls well and is always cheery, never down.

“Hopefully he has many more to come.”

Weinert has captained country week sides to B and C-section titles and led a second team into A-section, a feat which has been managed only a handful of times in 100 years.

Making his debut in 1997, he has not missed a week since and has amassed 2520 runs in the course of his 150 matches.

However, one box Wienert would still like to tick is making a century, since his best effort over the years has been 99.

He received a memento from Rob Marshall, chair of the WA Country Cricket Board, who called the stalwart a true servant of the game.

Others to celebrate 30 appearances were Mark Ward, of Wyalkatchem, and Brendon Tyrrell, of Esperance.

“The WA Country Cricket Board, together with WA Cricket, congratulates Graeme, Mark and Brendon on this extraordinary achievement and sincerely thanks them for their unwavering support of CSBP senior men’s country week over the past 30 years,” Mr Marshall said.

“They are legends of the game — and true servants of country cricket.”

For ADCA, while there were podium finishes all round, the top three teams had opportunities to do even better — though ADCA 1 were happy to grasp the straw which took them to an unexpected grand final.

The second and third teams both led their pools but lost semifinals, while the fourths topped the F-section table to rank as the association’s most successful side and return home in triumph.

Tindale said the association had enjoyed a successful week.

“The second team losing their semifinal was probably the biggest disappointment, but our thirds were playing second teams from other areas, so it was tough for them,” he said.