Waroona’s Daniel Abel shines for Peel to take them to another country week grand final

Waroona’s Daniel Abel has said while he is proud of his own efforts, he would have preferred the team had success at country week after his Peel side fell short against Bunbury and Districts in the grand final last month. The left-arm spinner dominated with the ball throughout the A-Section tournament and contributed with the bat, but could do nothing as his side were thumped by 205 runs by Bunbury at the WACA in the final game. Despite the team’s forgettable day at WA’s home of cricket, Abel gave Peel fans something to cheer about. Coming in at 10 with his side 9-48 chasing a mammoth 327, Abel blasted the Bunbury bowlers around the iconic stadium — hitting three sixes and seven fours on his way to 63 off 49. “It was good to hit some runs at the WACA,” Able said. “It was also good to play on better decks than what we get back home.” Earlier in the week, the tweaker had played an integral role in helping his side qualify top of their pool. The two-time Waroona Cricket Club premiership player took 19 wickets at an average of 11.16 throughout the carnival — including 6-20 off 15 against Busselton Margaret River and 7-36 off 14.4 against Geraldton. Abel also averaged a handy 23.2 with the bat which includes scoring 33 off 20 balls in a man of the match performance against Busselton Margaret River. The 27-year-old said playing on consecutive days and being able to bowl more than 10 overs — the maximum allowance in the Peel league — helped him have confidence in his bowling. “I work my way into a rhythm, so getting a few games back to back helps with everything,” he said. Now back at home, Abel said he is ready to win another title with Waroona — who currently sit on top of the Wyllie Cup ladder. Abel has been part of the WA Country XI squad since 2018 and was a part of the Australian Country Cricket Championship-winning side in 2019. The 27-year-old said he was hoping to travel with the side again but would have to wait after the WACA announced they would not tour this year due to the pandemic.