BENDIGO'S Melbourne Country Week squad hit the MCG's indoor nets last Sunday as part of its preparations for the carnival in February.
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The MCG training session was one of the new initiatives of first-year Bendigo coach Matt Pinniger.
"It was a fantastic day and I think the guys got a lot out of it," Pinniger said on Friday.
"When you go into an environment like that at the MCG, you want to display your best skills, so all the boys had a really good crack at it.
"We had a couple of bowling machines, as well as three nets going against a fairly fierce attack, so there was no reprieve in any of the nets.
"It was a good workout for everyone and a good way to get the campaign under way."
The BDCA Melbourne Country Week squad features 18 players, which be whittled back to 13 for the time-honoured carnival, which starts on February 9.
The team will again be captained by Linton Jacobs.
• Melbourne Country Week squad: Gavin Bowles, Adam Burns, Jono Davidson, Ben DeAraugo, Ben Devanny, Nathan Fitzpatrick, Brent Hamblin, Rhys Irwin, Linton Jacobs, Sam Johnston, Ben Gunn, Shaun Knott, Adrian Pappin, Liam Smith, Brayden Stepien, Cameron Taylor, Richard Tibbett, Adam Ward.
Meanwhile, the BDCA season continues on Saturday when day two of round six is played.
All teams from seniors through to juniors will wear black arm bands and observe a minute's silence in respect to batsman Phillip Hughes, who died on Thursday, two days after being struck by a bouncer against New South Wales at the SCG.
At Poyser Motors Oval, Huntly-North Epsom has given itself a chance of defending its meagre 151 against Bendigo United.
The Redbacks are under pressure at 4-32, with captain Leigh McDermott (4 n.o.) and Ben Gunn (8 n.o.) to continue the chase.
• Eaglehawk will chase Golden Square's 191 at MyJet Oval in a match pitting two top-four teams against each other.
The winner will improve their record to 4-2.
• White Hills will resume at 1-2 in reply to Strathdale-Maristians' 244 at Glen Loddon Homes Oval.
The Demons only faced one over last week, but lost Ryan Grundy (0), who was dismissed by the Suns' Jacob DeAraugo.
• Kangaroo Flat needs 182 more runs with eight wickets in hand to defeat Strathfieldsaye at N8Health Oval in what's a battle of two improved sides.
The Jets were bowled out in the 65th over last week for 202, before the Roos went to stumps at 2-21.
• Sandhurst needs 208 to defeat Bendigo at Provincial Home Loans Oval.