A PAIR of cricketing talents from Nichols Point, co-captain Brad Rosenzweig and Shaun Matthews, along with the Mildura East duo of Josh Andrews and Liam Naylor have been selected in the Murray Districts/Barrier/Sunraysia (MDBS) side for the SACA Senior Country Cup across a week of cricket in Adelaide from Monday, February 3, to Thursday, February 6.
Both Matthews, who was the 2024 MDBS skipper and Andrews played in last year event.
The annual SACA Country Cup is in a milestone year, playing for the 100th year of the Harry Meyer Cup.
All-rounder Naylor has enjoyed a strong season, making 461 runs at 57.98 (to round 10) and a pace bowler having taken 20 wickets at 14.5 runs per victim. That includes a 113 not out against Coomealla Wentworth last Saturday.
Fellow East’s cricketer Andrews has made 383 runs to this point, as well.
From the Berri Cricket in the Riverland and in his first season in Mildura 1st Division Rosenzweig, has previous toured with the South Australian Outbacks at the Australian Country Cricket Championships in Toowoomba.
A left-hand swing bowler, who generally leads the attack, Rosenzweig has 13 wickets this summer at an average of 18.62. He is also a capable bat, better than his current figures this season suggested. He should have been a member of the ’24 Meyer Cup Team of the Year, but for a technical error.
Matthews has been consistent with both bat and ball across the current season with 426 runs and 23 wickets.
“Andrews and Naylor are hard hitting top order bats, who play aggressively from ball one,” Rosenzweig said.
“Josh was selected in the 2024 SACA Senior Country Cup Team of the Year.
“Left-arm spinner, who bowls tight lines and is hard to get away, along with being an aggressive bat, Shaun will again play a pivotal role.
“He is also a member of the Australian Country Over 40 team this summer.
“Mildura cricket is a strong competition with a number of very talented players.
“With our attacking batting line-up we believe we can around the place at the business end.
“We have plenty of firepower and if it falls into place, it will be exciting.”
Murray Districts/Barrier/Sunraysia start with a clash against reigning Harry Meyer Cup holders Alice Springs on Monday, February 3, at Reynella Oval.
Their second match in Pool A is against Northern at the same venue on Tuesday, with the round robin completed against South East at Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg Oval, on Wednesday.
The grand final on Thursday, between the two top teams, will be played at Karen Rolton Oval on the edge of the Adelaide CBD, while the placing matches will be held on the adjacent Park 25 ovals.
Any players selected in the SACA Country Cup “Team of the Championships” this year, will play in the Favell/Woon Cup Twenty20 fixture at Adelaide Oval, on the day, Friday, February 7.
The MDBS Team for 2025: Tobias Hack – co-captain (North Broken Hill), Brad Rosenzweig – co-captain (Nichols Point), Josh Andrews (Mildura East), Liam Naylor (Mildura East), Shaun Mathews (Nichols Point), Haydon Thorpe (Parilla), Thomas Wurfel (Mallee), Reece Lehmann (Berri), Austin Wilson (North Broken Hill), Ben Jurd (North Broken Hill), Michael Maalste (North Broken Hill), Sheldon Hall (Central Broken Hill).
