SELECTORS are keeping close tabs on three primary candidates to fill Warrnambool's wicketkeeping vacancy at Melbourne Country Week.
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With first-choice gloveman Cam Williams expected to join Victoria Country, coach Ray Drew is canvassing his options early on.
Drew revealed West Warrnambool's Ryan Youl had entered the frame after a strong start to the season.
Brierly-Christ Church's Zavier Mungean and Wesley-CBC's Liam Couch are two other options - but while natural wicketkeepers - have spent time in the field this season.
Port Fairy's Aaron Williams took the gloves throughout the last campaign and is another prospect.
Drew, a long-term country week coach, said the race was wide open.
"You've got to remember Liam Couch has bowled a couple of times this season, and young Mungean has been fielding a bit too," he said.
"We have a bit of time up our sleeve and that's the benefit of picking squads early.
We have lots of options but the makeup of the squad will be determined a bit by the final Victoria Country squads as its hard for players to do both.
- Ray Drew
"We have lots of options but the makeup of the squad will be determined a bit by the final Victoria Country squads as its hard for players to do both."
Mungean blasted 467 runs last season, while Couch smashed 202.
Youl contributed 119 from the middle order.
Drew was optimistic the chosen wicketkeeper could also impact with the bat.
"Mungean hits the ball pretty hard and likes it on his leg stump. He gives it a fair whack," he said.
"Liam Couch had a 70-odd against Woodford early and a 30 again the other week so he has runs on the board.
"All looks good - they'll have the chance to put their best foot forward at training and we'll give them every opportunity."
Drew sad players outside the initial squad could still earn a country week place with solid performances at club level.
"We've been watching Ryan Youl who has been keeping pretty well," he said.
"But we've also looked at (Rowan) Ault from Allansford and we're keeping it open.
"We'll give them the option and see who is prepared to put in the work to go."
Buy-in from players was once an issue - but Drew said Warrnambool cricketers had committed well in recent seasons.
"There are some cricketers that haven't played finals for a while but are very good cricketers - for them, country week is like finals," he said.
"It's marvellous and if you go back over the years, we've done really well."
Nick Ansell
Nick Ansell is a sports journalist at the Warrnambool Standard.
Nick Ansell is a sports journalist at the Warrnambool Standard.
