Sport
6 February, 2026
MDCA complete final preparations for Melbourne Country Week starting next week
The MDCA is mere days away from competing in the illustrious Melbourne Country Week, looking to gain ground at the pinnacle of regional state cricket.
After going 2-2 in back-to-back years following their long-awaited country week return in 2024, the MDCA will attempt to break through the division two glass ceiling and go from finals contenders to finals participants.
Only four players return from last year’s squad, with Laanecoorie Dunolly all-rounder Sam Bartlett and Beaufort star Lachlan Oddie reprising their roles as captain and vice-captain respectively.
Bartlett’s club teammate Alex Cook and Oddie’s fellow Bull Joel Pymer are also among the familiar faces, exercising their right to be automatically selected to the team after being named in the MDCA’s 2024/25 Team of the Year.
With the majority of the 14-man squad representing the association for the first time, captain Bartlett said he’s looking forward to fresh faces making their mark amongst a very talented team.
“We picked a 14-man squad that’s pretty well balanced with plenty of youth and experience amongst it,” he said.
“It just gives all the players a chance to head off for a week together, play on some really good grounds and wickets in Melbourne, gel together as a group and just enjoy each other.
“We probably won’t really set expectations as such on wins and losses. It’s more trying to play to our strengths and do what we can to try and win a few games of cricket.”
Melbourne Country Week commences on Monday, February 9, with the MDCA facing a tricky test in the form of Cricket LaTrobe Valley to start their campaign.
During the MDCA’s return to the competition two years ago, Cricket LaTrobe Valley finished fourth, hoping for a similar performance after their hiatus in 2025.
On Tuesday, the MDCA will face a familiar foe in South West Cricket, the rubber match in an exciting trilogy.
After South West took the first bout back in 2024 by three wickets, a four-wicket haul and a classy 38 from Laane’s overseas recruit Kamaljot Romana allowed the MDCA to take revenge in 2025, coincidentally winning by three wickets.
The MDCA is currently scheduled to play the Ivanhoe Invitational XI on the Wednesday before rounding out round robin play against Warrnambool Moyne on Thursday, who competed in the premier provincial division last year.
After successfully retaining the Sharp Shield last December with a dominant display over Grenville, Bartlett said he’s confident his team can take that momentum into next week.
“We have tried to pick players who are going to fit a role in the side, so we have tried to pick what we believe are the best openers, spinners and medium pacers,” he said.
“Historically, we have bowled pretty well once we have got down to Melbourne, but probably haven’t quite lived up to what we should have done with the bat.
“Hopefully, we can make a few more runs between our batting group and give the bowlers a chance to defend some bigger totals.
“We’ll probably look to use a lot of right-hand and left-hand combinations through the batting lineup to make it harder for the opposition to settle on a line and length.
“There is no pressure on any one individual to get the job done. Everything we do will be team-oriented with a one-in-all in nature and attitude.”