Sport
17 January, 2025
MDCA ready for Melbourne Country Week
Following their successful defence of the Sharp Shield in December against the Grenville Cricket Association, the Maryborough District Cricket Association (MDCA) has announced a 16-man squad ready to tackle Melbourne Country Week.
Starting Monday, February 10, MDCA’s 2025 campaign aims to build off the senior’s first voyage back into the competition since 2008.
That performance saw the MDCA split their four games by winning two and losing two, placing them seventh in an incredibly tight division two ladder which would have seen them finish in third if one of those losses went the other way.
According to team manager Andrew Oddie, the team’s dedication last year has set the table for the MDCA to be involved in Melbourne Country Week for years to come.
“I reckon it’s massive for Maryborough cricket, the fact that we went to the effort and the boys put their hands up to play last year was phenomenal,” he said.
“It was just great to see that the boys went down there and had a great time and they all came back saying ‘we want to do that again’.
“It was a big hole in Maryborough cricket that we had no representatives for the seniors.
“It’s really good for Maryborough cricket and a chance for the senior players to extend themselves without having to leave town and go play in Melbourne.”
Many familiar faces have returned for this year’s squad with Laanecoorie Dunolly’s Sam Bartlett promoted to captain and Beaufort’s Lachlan Oddie returning as vice-captain.
Members of the 2023/24 MDCA Team of the Year were given first right of refusal to be a part of the squad.
Lachlan Oddie, Carisbrook’s Dean Nalder, Laane’s Zach Graham and Clunes Jude McGuire all accepted invitations, with McGuire going up for the Wednesday fixture to relieve leading MDCA run scorer Tom Hannett of wicketkeeping duties.
The rest of the squad consists of at least one member from each team in MDCA A grade, with seven coming from ladder leaders Laane, four from Beaufort, two from Colts Phelans and Carisbrook and one from Clunes.
The squad has already succeeded together, claiming a commanding seven-wicket victory over Grenville to retain the Sharp Shield.
Colts Max Jackson led with the ball in that fixture, finishing with figures of 3/20, while the MDCA were comfortably able to reach their target of 122 after an unbeaten 64 from Beaufort’s Tom Alexander.
Andrew Oddie believes the quality and experience of the squad will make them a serious threat in division two this year.
“I’m really confident that they will be able to make the top four, there were a couple of guys who went last year who hadn’t been for quite a while and most of the others it was a new experience,” he said.
“This time we have about seven or eight guys who have been before so they can put that learning experience and look to take that step up.
“Sam Bartlett’s main worry is to work out who’s batting nine, 10 and 11 because everybody bats at the top order for their club pretty much and how to keep the bowlers happy because nearly everyone in the squad bowls as well.”
With preparations already starting as teams wait for fixtures to be released, Andrew Oddie said the squad can’t wait for February 10.
“I got messages from half the team last year within the week we got back saying ‘thanks for organising that, make sure we are in again next year’,” he said.
“I’m just really happy and excited about the fact that they want to go even though it costs the boys time off work and food and drink and what to see they are going to produce.”