THE squad of 14 players which will head down to Melbourne in February to represent the Wangaratta and District Cricket Association at Country Week has been revealed. Led by Rovers United Bruck skipper Paddy McNamara, the squad features strike bowlers and gun bats from five of the seven A grade sides in the competition. The WDCA will play back in Division Two, after a runners up placing in 2023 saw them promoted to the Provincial Division last season then relegated back. The squad will play a game daily from Monday, February 10 through to Thursday, February 13 against teams from Sunraysia, Gisborne, Bellarine Peninsula and the South West, with the final to be held on Friday, February 14. WDCA president Justin Kelly said the team had a very strong chance to make the finals. “The team has been relegated to Division Two this season, but we have seven players with previous experience at Melbourne Country Week,” he said. “There are seven allrounders which will be good for our batting depth, with a good mix of experience and youth, led by Paddy McNamara. “The WDCA were runners up in Division Two two seasons ago and we are certainly hoping to get to the grand final.” McNamara said he was thrilled to lead such a strong and dynamic team out for redemption. “We have a good squad together with a good mix of experience and youth which will be crucial during a big week of four to five days of cricket,” he said. “We will be in Division Two this year after being relegated from Provincial last year so we will definitely be looking to redeem ourselves by finishing top two and getting the league back into Provincial next season.” Melbourne Country Week commences on Monday, February 10. WDCA 2025 Melbourne Country Week Squad Paddy McNamara (C) (Rovers United Bruck) Dylan Bursill (Ovens Valley United) Ryan Collier (Rovers United Bruck) Gregor Fraser (Ovens Valley United) Matt Lister (City Colts) Cooper Matheson (Wangaratta Magpies) Josh Nanson (City Colts) Tyler Nanson (City Colts) Charith Perera (Rovers United Bruck) Jack Ryan (Beechworth Wanderers) Matt Ryan (Beechworth Wanderers) Jimmy Thewlis (Wangaratta Magpies) Cooper Thomason (Ovens Valley United) Matt Whitten (Rovers United Bruck) Schedule, MCW Division Two Monday, February 10 – Wangaratta v Sunraysia @ Yarrambat War Memorial Park, Plenty Valley Tuesday, February 11 – Wangaratta v Gisborne @ Windy Hill, Essendon Wednesday, February 12 – Bellarine Peninsula v Wangaratta @ Hogans Road Res No. 1, Hoppers Crossing Thursday, February 13 – South West v Wangaratta @ McGain Oval, Lebanon Res, Strathmore Friday, February 14 – Finals.
