Victoria Country coach Jason Mathers is confident three Bendigo-based players can help his squad win next month’s Australian Country Cricket Championship in Mt Gambier.
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Strathdale-Maristians’ Cam Taylor, Bendigo’s Adam Ward and White Hills’ Mitch Winter-Irving have been selected in the final squad of 13 for the carnival.
It will be the second time the trio has represented Victoria Country.
Taylor played in Canberra two seasons ago, while Ward and Winter-Irving played integral roles in helping the Vics finish second at the carnival in Bendigo last January.
“We’re very happy with the squad we’ve selected,’’ Victoria Country coach Jason Mathers said.
“We’re very keen to go one better than what we did in Bendigo.
“The three Bendigo boys deserve their places in the squad. Cam Taylor was desperate to play last season in Bendigo, but couldn’t because of his wedding.
“Adam Ward and Mitch Winter-Irving were fantastic for us in Bendigo and if they can repeat that, or even do a little bit more, we’ll be very happy.”
Taylor has been appointed vice-captain.
“Cam is a natural leader and he’s proven at this level,’’ Mathers said.
Ward and Winter-Irving were named in the Australian Country XI last summer after standout performances at the carnival.
Their reward for their selection is a berth in an All-Star match with Australian Cricket Association players in Mt Gambier on the day before the carnival starts.
The championships will be played from January 3-11.
Victoria Country’s first game is a two-day clash with reigning champions Queensland Country.
“We didn’t get the chance to play Queensland in Bendigo because of the rain, so we’re looking forward to that game,’’ Mathers said.
Ben Boyd will captain the team for the first time.
Victoria Country squad – Ben Boyd (c) (Warrnambool), Cameron Taylor (vc) (Bendigo), Adrian Burgiel (Sale-Maffra), Luke Carter (Murray Valley), Luke Ford (Geelong), Locky Dobson (Mornington-Peninsula), Greg Munro (Tralalgon), Brad Scott (Sale-Maffra), Jacob Smith (Geelong), Nathan Walsh (Ferntree Gully), Adam Ward (Bendigo), Zac Wilson (Ferntree Gully), Mitchell Winter-Irving (Bendigo).