THE Victorian Country Cricket League has announced its 13-man team for next year's national carnival.
The team, led by new coach Jason Mathers, was unveiled this morning in preparation for the Australian Country Cricket Championships at Bundaberg, Queensland, in January.Ballarat batsman-wicketkeeper Heath Pyke has been named captain of the Victorian side in his seventh ACCC appearance.
Four players in the country Victorian team - Dwayne Doig, Justin Grant, Rob Hearn and Rob Wilson - hail from the Mornington Peninsula region.
The Geelong region is represented by batsman Eamon Vines and paceman Trent Walerys.
The VCCL team was selected after a final trial day at Seymour yesterday, involving 48 of country Victoria's most talented cricketers.
"To select the final 13 was very difficult and no doubt there will be some disappointed cricketers,'' Mathers said.
Victoria will be out to restore pride at this season's ACCC after finishing last at the previous carnival, held on home turf at Geelong in January this year.
Victorian team for the 2013 Australian Country Cricket Championships:
Heath Pyke (Ballarat)
Adrian Burgiel (Traralgon)
Tristan Dixon (Ballarat)
Dwayne Doig (Mornington Peninsula)
Justin Grant (Mornington Peninsula)
Rob Hearn (Mornington Peninsula)
Lukas Hoogenboom (West Gippsland)
Leigh Kentish (Swan Hill)
Liam Scammell (Albury-Wodonga)
Eamon Vines (Geelong)
Trent Walerys (Geelong)
Rob Wilson (Mornington Peninsula)
Ramadan Yze (Shepparton)
Emergencies:
Lee Stockdale (Traralgon - batsman)
Richard Tibbett (Bendigo - bowler)
