THE Sunraysia Cricket Association is set for a Melbourne Country Week return following a two-year hiatus.
Some of the best cricketers in the district will put club allegiances aside to represent the region on arguably the biggest stage for regional cricketers across Victoria.
Melbourne Country Week was cancelled in 2021 and 2022 due to COVID restrictions, but is set to resume in February of 2023.
In Sunraysia’s last tilt in 2020, the team went down in the Division 3 grand final to Bellarine after being sent in to bat first on a wet day.
Come February under new coach Josh Berry, Sunraysia will aim for glory in Division 2.
Sunraysia last won their division at MCW in 2014 when they defeated Warragul in the Division 3 grand final.
“It will be good to get back out there and play Country Week again after a few years out,” Berry said.
“We have a lot of proud local cricketers in Sunraysia and the response to joining the team has been really good.
“We’ve got some key players putting their hands up which is great. Currently, we have about 25 players in an extended squad but we’ll have a few training sessions in January and bring that back to about 13.
“We want to do well. People in cricket often compare districts and want to have bragging rights over others.”
Berry believes the squad, which strikes a balance between young talent, experienced hands and impressive imports, is in a better position than two years ago.
“We’re positive we’ve got a group together who can perform really well,” he said.
The Country Week squad will train on February 1 and 8 from 6pm at Mildura Senior College, ahead of the final squad of 13 being named.
Initial squad: Matt Job, Nafis Shaikh, Jay Turlan, Justin Freeman, Liam Freeman, Mitch Kemp (Coomealla Wentworth), Shac Thomas, Wade Hancock, Aiden Calarco, Luke Hickey, Adam Thomson (Gol Gol), Nick Giofre, Billy Phelan, Jarrad Armsden, Ryan Muir (Irymple), Hamim Miah (Merbein), Josh Bowyer, Josh Berry, Andrew Ross, Brad Thomas, Jayden Hunt (Mildura East), Richie Wyld, Jason Morrison, Harvey Ault (Mildura Settlers), Chris Williams, Charlie Walker, Greg Lewis (Mildura West), Shaun Mathews, Nick Blacker, Glen Bridson (Nichols Point).
