West Warrnambool Englishman Jack Sunderland has been picked while Wesley-CBC spinner Ben Evans and Allansford skipper Chris Bant have also been included.

In-form Merrivale opener Jeremy Burgess has also earned a dream recall after making the pilgrimage in 2016, while selectors have placed faith in Nestles all-rounder Brett Eldridge to undertake a leadership role.

Nathan Murphy has taken the reins as skipper after leading Warrnambool within eight runs of provincial grade glory last year.

Warrnambool coach Ray Drew backed the squad to build on last year’s second-place finish.

“We believe we’ve picked a good, competitive squad,” Drew said.

“We’ve still had to leave out some very talented players and there will be some disappointed lads out there, so we’re feeling for them too.”

Drew was thrilled to hand out debuts for Sunderland, Evans and Bant.

“Someone like Ben Evans deserves a chance because he’s been a big wicket-taker in Warrnambool for a long time. 

“He’s been committed to training as well and hasn’t missed a session. Jack Sunderland is another who offers batting and bowling and Chris Bant is one of the leading run-scorers.”

FULL SQUAD:

NATHAN MURPHY (BRIERLY-CHRIST CHURCH) ©

NICK BUTTERS (WOODFORD)

CAMERON WILLIAMS (RUSSELLS CREEK)

CHRIS BANT (ALLANSFORD)

BEN THRELFALL (WEST WARRNAMBOOL)

TOM BATTEN (WOODFORD)

BRETT ELDRIDGE (NESTLES)

JACK SUNDERLAND (WEST WARRNAMBOOL)

JEREMY BURGESS (MERRIVALE)

JIMMY ELFORD (RUSSELLS CREEK)

TYLER FOWLER (WOODFORD)

HANK SCHLAGHECKE (WOODFORD)

BEN EVANS (WESLEY-CBC)

MARK MURPHY (BRIERLY-CHRIST CHURCH)