AFTER a pair of near misses in the Provincial Group final of Melbourne Country Week the past two years, Bendigo will be striving for third time lucky when the 2017 carnival starts on Monday.
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Bendigo’s squad:
LINTON JACOBS (c)
Captaining Bendigo’s Melbourne Country Week team for the fourth season.
Has a 9-4-1 record as skipper – unfortunately, two of those four defeats have come in the past two Provincial Group finals.
Will provide plenty of voice and leadership behind the stumps as wicket-keeper and bat anywhere in the order. Could open one day, then slip down the order next depending on the situation.
Country week stats:
Runs: 307 Avg: 11.8
HS: 73 50s: 1
Wkts: 2 Avg: 8.5
BB: 2-17
………………………………
TAYLOR BEARD
All-rounder representing Bendigo for the first time at Melbourne Country Week.
Victoria Country representative at the Australian Country Cricket Championships earlier this month.
Likely to bat in the middle-order combined with his role as a medium-pacer in the bowling unit.
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ADAM BURNS
No need for the Melways – Burns has probably played at every Melbourne Country Week ground since making his debut in 2002 and can provide the daily directions to bus driver John Hewitt.
A tremendous servant of Bendigo representative cricket, who for all he has given deserves another Melbourne Country Week title to go with the 2010 flag he captained.
Has 111 Melbourne Country Week wickets – 50 more than any other BDCA player since 1998. Enough said.
Runs: 443 Avg: 20.1
HS: 49* 50s: 0
Wkts: 111 Avg: 16.3
BB: 7-39
………………………………
BEN DeARAUGO
Another of the Melbourne Country Week stalwarts who is the only member in this year’s squad from the team that broke Bendigo’s 54-year drought a decade ago in 2007 (Burns was playing in Geelong that season).
First played Melbourne Country Week in 2004, with this his 12th trip downtown after missing the 2009 and 2013 carnivals.
Will bowl part-time off-spin and likely bat No.5 to 7.
Hasn’t been at his best the past two carnivals, sparking a challenge from coach Matt Pinniger for a lift in output.
Runs: 343 Avg: 16.3
HS: 46 50s: 0
Wkts: 61 Avg: 19.9
BB: 5-14
………………………………
BRENT HAMBLIN
Will provide the genuine pace in the bowling line-up in what is his sixth selection in the Melbourne Country Week team.
While his primary role will be with the ball, no slouch with the bat either.
Runs: 50 Avg: 12.5
HS: 20 50s: 0
Wkts: 26 Avg: 14.9
BB: 4-18
………………………………
CLAYTON HOLMES
One of the most exciting all-round talents in Bendigo cricket in his first season in the competition.
If he gets going with the bat at the top of the order he has the ability to set Bendigo up for big scores, and if he bowls anything like he did in last week’s Twenty20 final, will hurry plenty of opposition batsmen up.
Genuine X-factor.
………………………………
NATHAN FITZPATRICK
Second carnival for the all-rounder. Limited opportunities last year, but will take on plenty of responsibility with the ball this campaign.
Coming off Victoria Country representation earlier this month, Bendigo will be looking for him to deliver with the ball with early breakthroughs.
Runs: 43 Avg: 21.5
HS: 41 50s: 0
Wkts: 0 Avg: NA
BB: 0-7
………………………………
SHANE KOOP (vc)
New player to the competition who has been given the vice-captaincy.
Will open the batting and have the key role of anchoring the innings.
Has the added string to his bow of being able to take the gloves and wicket-keep if Jacobs needs a spell.
………………………………
JAKE KLEMM
In-form batsman who has been brought into the squad in place of the injured Tim Wood (finger).
While there’s likely to be plenty of shuffling in the Bendigo batting order each day, is earmarked for a settled role in the top four.
………………………………
ZEN MALIK
English under-19 representative in his first season in the BDCA.
Haven’t seen the best of him yet at Sandhurst, but perhaps the step-up in competition of Country Week will see the top-order batsman and leg-spinner rise to the occasion.
………………………………
LEIGH McDERMOTT
Back in the Melbourne Country Week squad for the first time since 2013.
Hard-hitting middle to lower-order batsman, who will also be relied upon to produce economical overs, like he has done so often this season with Bendigo United.
Runs: 18 Avg: 6.0
HS: 15 50s: 0
Wkts: 3 Avg: 22.3
BB: 2-29
………………………………
ADRIAN PAPPIN
One of the best strikers of the ball in the BDCA, who can do plenty of late damage if given the platform to launch an assault from.
Great around the team off the field and could also be called upon to send down a few overs, which he still does at decent pace.
Runs: 205 Avg: 18.6
HS: 29* 50s: 0
Wkts: 0 Avg: NA
BB: 0-2
………………………………
SAM SPERLING
Left-arm off-spinner to add some variety.
Has bowled with good economy for Sandhurst this season and knows Melbourne wickets well having played with Premier Cricket club Casey-South Melbourne.
