A BLEND of fresh faces and experienced hands will make up Sunraysia’s line-up for their tilt at the 2024 Melbourne Country Week.
After falling short in last year’s division 2 grand final by run rate, the initial squad of 21 is determined to go one better this time around from Monday, February 13 to Friday, February 17.
The squad will be whittled down to 13 next month, and coach Josh Berry is confident the final playing group will give a strong account of themselves.
Four of the past five Innes medal winners in Mark Thomson, Shaun Mathews, Bryson Lush and Wade Hancock have been named, while Jason Morrison could make his return following a few years’ absence.
Mildura West opening bowler Locke Thornton has been rewarded for his superb season so far, second in the wicket taking with 19 scalps, while young Nichols Point duo Riley Jobson and Nick Blacker have also been included.
“It’s probably changed a bit since last year with a few new fresh faces coming in, but that’s what’s exciting about tournaments like this,” Berry said.
“It’s excellent to have Jase Morrison put up his hand to play again, it’s been a few years since he played country week and we know what he is capable of.
“Then you have other long-termers like Brad Thomas, Shaun Mathews and Adam Thomson to really add that experience, plus we have the influx of new imports who are aiming to be involved as well.”
Berry said it was hard to look past Thornton for selection, considering his bowling form.
“We really want to reward players who have been performing well to show what they are made of,” he said.
“It’s still to be trimmed down but if you have a fast bowling core of Locke, Jayden Hunt, Ryan Muir, Mark Thomson and Ben Green, plus throw in the spin of Shaun Mathews and Bryson Lush and we feel it’s a handy attack.
“Riley has been impressive and still has a lot of development ahead but I think representative chances like this will benefit his game, and Nick Blacker is also pretty young and is in the same boat.”
Training for the squad before final selections takes place at Mildura Sporting Precinct on Monday, February 5 at 6pm.
Initial squad: Colby Wade (Coomealla Wentworth); Adam Thomson, Wade Hancock (Gol Gol); Bryson Lush, Mark Thomson, Bailey Anderson, Chase Stone (Irymple); Ben Green, Hamim Miah (Merbein); Brad Thomas, Josh Berry, Josh Andrews, Josh Bowyer, Jayden Hunt, Ryan Muir (Mildura East); Jason Morrison (Mildura Settlers); Kian Burns, Locke Thornton (Mildura West); Shaun Mathews, Riley Jobson, Nick Blacker (Nichols Point).
