'We want you': WDCA seeks nominations for Hudson Shield, over 40s

The Hudson Shield - one of regional Victoria's most prestigious representative tournaments - has been revived under a Cricket Victoria restructure. It is open to players of all ages.

Warrnambool will feature in a southern conference, playing against South West and Portland rivals in a bid to make the final against a side from a northern conference.

An over 40s tournament - which has already drawn a nomination from Allansford-Panmure champion Ben Boyd - will run concurrently under a similar format.

Warrnambool and District Cricket Association board member Jason Mungean said the Hudson Shield's revival would be used as talent identification in the lead-up to Melbourne Country Week, which is expected to return in early 2022 after a coronavirus-enforced two-year hiatus.

"It'll be played next Sunday. We're chasing some nominations for any interested players which will hopefully make selection a little bit easier," Mungean said.

"They're two separate competitions. The (Hudson Shield) concept was used 15 or 20 years ago. It'll be pretty much 50-over games, the international one-day format."

Mungean said the Hudson Shield would provide valuable insight to country week after two years without representative cricket.

"We're planning to use it as a bit of a lead-in," he said.

"It's a great opportunity to find out the standard and where they might fit into the side and the mix of the group."

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The Wesley Yambuk coach hoped playing meaningful games over practice matches would entice more players to put their hand up.

"Sometimes players don't like playing just inter-association practice games or whatever so here, they're playing a proper game with real pressure," he said.

"Hopefully it'll be the best of each association playing and will mean something."

The over-40 tournament was also expected to fetch strong talent, Mungean said.

He said Allansford-Panmure champion Ben Boyd, the current Australian Country Cricket Championships skipper, had already committed.

"In past years, the over-40 stuff has just been Twenty20 stuff," Mungean said.

"It's been a bit hit and giggle and have a bit of a laugh but this'll be a little bit more serious and everyone will get a real chance to see where they're at."

Contact Jason Mungean on 0407 097 910 to nominate or for more information.

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