THREE first-timers and a group of returning veterans headline a Melbourne Country Week squad chasing relegation redemption.
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Selectors have included two young wicketkeepers - Zavier Mungean and Liam Couch - as they plan for life without Victoria Country hopeful Cam Williams.
All-rounder Campbell Love, 17, has also been included while Nestles' Jacob Hetherington is expected to gain selection after a standout winter of English cricket.
Warrnambool coach Ray Drew said he was pushing for promotion back to the Provincial division while keeping an eye on the future.
"We're happy with the initial squad. We're not only looking to provide a good squad but to look ahead," Drew said.
"Your Campbell Loves, Liam Couchs are the future of Warrnambool cricket.
Your Campbell Loves, Liam Couchs are the future of Warrnambool cricket.
- Ray Drew
"We're keen to give them a taste of what goes on at country week because they'll be good cricketers."
Reigning premier Russells Creek has the highest player count in the 30-man squad, boasting eight.
Bowlers Matt Petherick, Jimmy Elford, Izzy Yaddehige and Joe Kenna have been named while Rukshan Weerasinghe, Shashan Silva, Matt Bignell and Williams also feature.
Brierly-Christ Church, meanwhile, has five, while Woodford can lay claim to four.
Mungean and Love are Brierly's youngest hopefuls while former skipper Nathan Murphy, big-hitter Mark Murphy and former Greenvale-North Melbourne leader Matt Love have been picked.
Drew expected two-time cricketer of the year Mark Murphy to be available after missing the last edition.
He said Murphy's brother, Nathan, would be governed by work commitments but was hopeful the country week veteran would be available.
Drew said selectors would monitor Warrnambool and District Cricket Association and training form before trimming the squad.
"I hope some of the senior players have a bit of pride in the association and can help us get back into the top grade as quickly as possible," he said.
Allansford (Jacob Bloom, Chris Bant and Ben Boyd) has three hopefuls, while West Warrnambool (Ben Threlfall, Alastair Templeton and David Heeps) also have a trio.
Merrivale (Jeremy Burgess and Josh Stapleton), Port Fairy (Jason Perera and Aaron Williams) and Wesley-CBC (Ben Evans and Liam Couch) all have two potential players.
Dennington (Xavier Beks) and Nestles (Jacob Hetherington) have one apiece.
Melbourne Country Week traditionally takes place in mid-to-late February of each year.
THE SQUAD:
ALLANSFORD: Chris Bant, Ben Boyd, Jacob Bloom
BRIERLY CC: Matt Love, Nathan Murphy, Mark Murphy, Zavier Mungean, Campbell Love
DENNINGTON: Xavier Beks
MERRIVALE: Jeremy Burgess, Josh Stapleton
NESTLES: Jacob Hetherington
PORT FAIRY: Jason Perera, Aaron Williams
RUSSELLS CREEK: Matthew Petherick, Cameron Williams, Jimmy Elford, Rukshan Weerasinghe, Shashan Silva, Isuru Yaddehige, Joe Kenna, Matt Bignell
WEST WARRNAMBOOL: Ben Threlfall, Alister Templeton, David Heeps
WESLEY-CBC: Ben Evans, Liam Couch
WOODFORD: Nick Butters, Hank Schlaghecke, Kory Howlett, Tyler Fowler
COACH: Ray Drew
SELECTORS: Glenn Kelson, Brett Eldridge
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