SCA picks top squad for Melbourne Country Week

THE Sunraysia Cricket Association’s campaign to return to Melbourne Country Week starts up again later this month.

A list of 23 players has been named, with trainings to be held on January 22 and February 5 at Mildura Senior College from 6pm to decide who will travel to Melbourne for the February 17-21 tournament.

Nichols Point Cricket Club coach Shaun Mathews, who led Sunraysia to a win at the 2018 Willowfest Australian Cricket Championships after the SCA decided not to go to last year’s country week, said there had been good support for the return this year,

“I think having the year off last year has been good,” he said. 

“It has created a lot of interest around it this year. From the 30 invited most have made themselves available for the week.

“Guys like Braidyn Turner, Jordan Payne, Brad Thomas who haven’t been for a few years were the first to commit, which is terrific.”

Reigning premiers Settlers are well represented in the training squad with opening batsmen Jason Morrison and Luke Stanbrook, veteran all rounder Richie Wyld, captain Turner, young batsman Paddy Keogh and quick bowler Luke Coates all invited to train.

Last year’s grand finalist Workers Gol Gol have all rounders Nick Jensen, Aidan Calarco and Jake Albrecht, Nichols Point have Mathews, skipper Brad Thomas and wicketkeeper Glen Bridson, Mildura

East have the Berry brothers Josh and Jhy and young pace bowler Jayden Hunt named to train.

Irymple have captain Jordan Payne and batsman Jarrad Armsden in the mix, while Coomealla Wentworth skipper Justin Freeman and all rounder Bevan Wade are also chances to travel.

Hamim Miah (Merbein South) and West spin pair Thanura Rajapakse and Aaron Feroz are also in the extended squad.

The final squad to travel to Melbourne will be named after the February 5 training session.

The Sunraysia Cricket Association is in Division 3 of Melbourne Country Week, and will open their campaign against Hamilton District on February 17.

TRAINING SQUAD

Sunraysia Cricket Association Melbourne Country Week training squad

Training dates: January 22, February 5

Venue: Mildura Senior College, 6pm

Squad: Jason Morrison, Richie Wyld, Braidyn Turner, Luke Coates, Luke Stanbrook, Paddy Keogh, Shaun Mathews, Bradley Thomas, Glen Bridson, Josh Berry, Jhy Berry, Jayden Hunt, Jarrad Armsden, Jordan Payne, Aidan Calarco, Justin Freeman, Bevan Wade,Jake Albrecht, Nick Jensen, Hamim Miah, Thanura Rajapakse, Aaron Feroz.