By RUSSELL BENNETT
COUNTRY WEEK PRELIMINARY SQUAD
Chris Smith – Pakenham
Tom Hussey – Tooradin
Michael Giles – Kooweerup
Cal O’Hare – Tooradin
Jason Williams – Pakenham
Russell Lehman – Pakenham
Jess Mathers – Merinda Park
Matt Hutchinson – Devon Meadows
Luke Gilbert – Catani
Aaron Avery – Tooradin
Bradey Welsh – Pakenham
Danny Diwell – Merinda Park
Neil Barfuss – Cardinia
Nick Fairbank – Pakenham Upper-Toomuc
Kyle Brooke – Clyde
Scott Clark – Pakenham Upper-Toomuc
Bradley Birkhead – Clyde
Jack Ryan – Pakenham
Jason Hameeteman – Lyndhurst Vikings
AJ Walker – Emerald
Dananja Madushanka – Kooweerup
Jesse Hayhow – Pakenham
Alex Cann – Emerald
Chris Savage – Upper Beaconsfield
Dylan Sutton – Tooradin
Andrew Proctor – Tooradin
THE initial West Gippsland Cricket Association Country Week squad has been announced and selector Simon Parrott thinks there’s so much high-quality talent in the mix that he’s pushing for a trial game against the highly-rated Mornington Peninsula before the tournament begins.
“The perception inside the MPCA is that any other competition isn’t strong enough to play them but in some ways I think we’re far advanced,” Parrott said.
“I’m pushing really hard for a trial game against the MPCA because I think we definitely have the talent.”
A who’s who of the biggest names in the association – such Pakenham’s Chris Smith, Jason Williams and Russ Lehman, Tooradin’s Tom Hussey Aaron Avery and Cal O’Hare, Kooweerup’s Michael Giles, Merinda Park’s Jess Mathers and Cardinia’s Neil Barfuss have all been named in the preliminary squad – which could yet be expanded to include other league stars.
Devon Meadows star all-rounder Matt Hutchinson, Upper Beaconsfield skipper Chris Savage, Clyde import Bradley Birkhead and Pakenham Upper’s Nick Fairbank have also been named in the squad – as have youngsters Alex Cann (Emerald), Dylan Sutton and Andrew Proctor (both Tooradin).
The Country Week selection panel, which also includes Merinda Park player-coach Jamie Smith, Emerald’s Clinton Marsh, injured Pakenham star Dom Paynter and O’Hare – picked the initial squad for a trial game to be held on Sunday 14 December at Cardinia.
“We’re looking at great depth in both batting and bowling in the WGCA now – not only in Premier but in District and Sub-District as well,” Parrott said, with District stars Kyle Brooke, Scott Clark, Jason Hameeteman, Fairbank, Birkhead, and Hutchinson and Sub-District’s Luke Gilbert, also in the squad.
“The squad we’ve got is extremely strong. It depends on availability but we’ve got depth everywhere.
“Having Jess Mathers, Hutchy and Sav really strengthens the squad this year.
“Tom (Hussey) and Azz (Avery) are available too, which is huge and Barf is bowling as well as I’ve seen him in years.”
Parrott also highlighted the quality wicket-keeping options across the league, with Hussey and Birkhead included and others like Chris Bright (Kooweerup) and Luke Turner (Cardinia) potentially in the mix as well.
“To win at Country Week you have to be up and about every day so you really need that depth,” he said.
“Batting is definitely a real strength of this squad but the bowling is extremely sound too.
“We’re definitely going there with a steely resolve to win.”
The final WGCA Country Week squad will be selected just before Christmas.
