GRASSMERE Cricket Association team manager Norm Gibson says its Bendigo Country Week team was chosen with future representative campaigns in mind.
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Gibson said a blend of youth and experience would represent the GCA in its Bendigo Country Week debut next week.
The Tim Bryce-led 13-player team was finalised after training on Wednesday night.
“The initial squad was about 24 or 25. Some fell by the wayside,” Gibson said.
“We picked ones who showed interest and came to training.
“The beauty of this squad is with a bit of youth in there we’d like to be able to build a core playing group for the next two or three years. That is the plan of attack.”
Gibson said GCA felt it had the balance between experience and youth right.
“We have experience at the top with Tim Bryce, Aaron Peterson and Brian Wilson,” he said.
“Wilson is only in his mid-20s but he’s played a few Country Weeks and Jason Elliott hasn’t been for seven or eight years and is keen to get back into Country Week.”
GCA under 17 Country Week skipper Tom Mahony leads the next generation.
The Panmure Pups teenager made 110 in the Warrnambool Under 17 Country Week division two grand final last week.
Gibson said Hawkesdale’s Rory Towler and David West were identified as players of the future.
He said bowling was GCA’s strength.
West, Wangoom’s Shamus O’Beirne and Yambuk’s Jethro Serle will spearhead the bowling attack.
“They are all medium to fast opening bowlers for their clubs,” Gibson said.
“John Barnes is a spinner. Watching him a couple of weeks ago training at Merrivale on turf was eye-catching.”
Gibson said it was important GCA started its campaign on a positive note to help with morale for the rest of the week.
GCA chose Bendigo Country Week in favour of February’s Melbourne Country Week this year, reasoning that it needed a change which would spark interest.
It will play in division three with Red Cliffs, Maryborough, Northern District Colts and Northern United.
