THE Sunraysia Cricket Association (SCA) is poised to return to Melbourne Country Week (MCW) in February next year.
Rising costs and lack of interest caused Sunraysia’s commitment to MCW to fall by the wayside, including a hiatus last season, but recent discussions have encouraged the SCA board to proceed with plans for the event.
There had been talk before the season that the SCA could send a team to Bendigo Country Week, however president Andrew Farlie said Melbourne remained the preferred option.
“Realistically, it’s a better competition, and there’s murmurs those competitions would be merging in the next few years anyway,” he said.
“So regardless of where we went, we’d end up in the same competition down the track anyway.”
The SCA is now on the hunt for support staff for the February 17-21 competition, while names are already being bandied about for selection.
Farlie said representative cricket was important for the development of players.
“It’s always good to give any player the best opportunity to play the best cricket they can play,” he said.
“Whether that’s juniors playing for Sunraysia or Mallee Murray or Victoria, the same goes from a senior perspective as well.
“You always want to give everyone the best opportunity to play the best cricket they can play.”
The SCA is planning to have a squad in place to play practice matches at the Willowfest Australian Cricket Club Championships between Christmas and New Year’s.
“There’s a fair chance we wouldn’t have a full side available for that competition but if we’ve got the majority of players involved they at least get a bit of time to work together before we head to Melbourne and give them every chance of playing good cricket down there,” Farlie said.
