Its 33-strong list, unveiled on Wednesday night, includes 16 new faces. 

WDCA skipper Brett Eldridge said the extended squad was brimming with young talent.

“It would have to be the youngest squad, which is very exciting and a real credit to our pathway program,” he said.

Victorian under 17 representative Nick King is among the up-and-coming players named.

“There are names and faces in there that haven’t been involved in the (WDCA) representative side of things,” Eldridge said.

“Ben Threlfall, Nick King and Kory Howlett are guys making a lot of representative runs at the moment and Liam Brown from Russells Creek is another one too. Hamish Withers and Will Mills have played a lot of Western Waves representative cricket.

“Then there is the more experienced ones like myself, Ben Boyd, Dustin Drew and Nathan Murphy, so there is a good blend of guys who have been there before and done it and the desire of the new guys.”

Eldridge was pleased with the interest in Country Week, as the division two-ranked WDCA strives to return to the provincial grade. 

“Everyone we have spoken to is keen to put their hand up and be available which is good,” he said.

“I think a few years ago it could have gone either way, Country Week.”

Preparations for February’s Melbourne Country Week carnival will start with two training sessions before Christmas.

Eldridge said they would play an intra-squad match in January, as well as a practice game against Colac and District Cricket Association,  before a final team is selected.

Melbourne Country Week initial squad: Ben Boyd, Kyall Timms, Nick Maddison, Matt Brophy, Gault McCluggage, Allansford; Nathan Murphy, Leigh Pollard, Brierly-Christ Church; Dustin Drew, Nick King, Jack Lee, Shannon Beks, Ben Rantall, Dennington; Mark Murphy, East Warrnambool-YCW; Josh Stapleton, Andy Rishton, Otto Opperman, Merrivale; Brett Eldridge, Cameron Williams, Geoff Williams, Glenn Hannah, Nestles; Jason Mungean, Ranil Rasanga, Nirranda; Aaron Williams, Port Fairy;  Kyle Humphrys, Liam Brown, Russells Creek; Ben Evans, Wesley-CBC; Ben Threlfall, Will Mills, Josh Campbell, West Warrnambool; Nick Butters, Hank Schlaghecke, Kory Howlett, Hamish Withers, Woodford.