Australian Country Cricket Championships: Victoria sets sights on national title
Victoria has unveiled a star-studded batting order ahead of the Australian Country Cricket Championships in Canberra. See a comment on each player in the men’s and women’s sides.
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A former Big Bash player will be given a free-licence to attack and get Victoria off to a flying start in the Australian Country Cricket Championships, which begin in Canberra on Friday.
Former Melbourne Renegades left-hander Brayden Stepien will open the batting, alongside Russells Creek excitement machine Cam Williams.
Grovedale left-hander Jordy Moran, Ferntree Gully gun Nathan Walsh and Vic skipper Lee Stockdale will follow, completing a power-packed top five.
Victorian coach Peter Buchanan said his side would look to play an aggressive brand of cricket in Canberra.
“I’m pretty sure we’ll bat alright — we’ll bowl alright, too — but we’ve got a bit of batting, we’ve got some blokes who can play a bit,” he said.
“Most of the blokes can bat. Even some of the bowlers, they can bat.
“All our spinners, they either open the batting or bat in the top four for their club. So they’re all handy players.”
Victoria will play six 50-over games in Canberra, hitting off against Queensland on Friday.
The Vics’ bowling attack will be led by St Josephs paceman Tom Smith, while three spinners will play a big role — left arm orthodox bowlers Jack Rietschel and Stockdale and a right-arm leggie Cam Taylor.
Cam Williams will keep wickets.
Buchanan said he didn’t know a lot about the make up of other state sides but expected a high standard of cricket.
“To be honest I don’t really know. I think I’d rather it that way,” he said.
“If you start worrying about other teams you forget about your own a little bit, you know?”
The Vics are reigning national champions, having won the title when it was last held in 2020 before Covid.
Victoria’s women’s side will also chase success in the championships from January 13-20.
The Vic women’s side, coached by Keith Jansz, have gone with a young squad, mindful of giving players an opportunity to progress to higher levels. All women’s games will be T20s.
The Victorian Country men’s squad:
Ethan Boyd, Warrnambool
Nineteen-year-old fast bowler who is also a gun fielder. Has a big future.
Aidan Lenehan, Mornington Peninsula
Genuine all-rounder who bats well and bowls at a good clip.
Jordan Moran (vc), Geelong
Top order bat, who has churned out runs for the Vics at the past two carnivals, including two centuries.
Jack Rietschel, Sale-Maffra
Left-arm orthodox spinner, who has played in the past two national championships.
Tom Smith, Geelong
Right-arm fast bowler who has played in Geelong’s First XI.
Brayden Stepien, Bendigo
Big-hitting opening bat who was on the Melbourne Renegades list. Scores fast.
Lee Stockdale (capt), Traralgon
Left-arm orthodox spinner and gritty middle order bat. Strong leader. Played in a lot of carnivals.
Cameron Taylor, Bendigo
Leg spinner and left-handed bat. Quality player with loads of experience.
Jake Toohey, Ferntree Gully
A batting all-rounder who has played in Ringwood’s First XI.
Kierran Voelkl, Mornington Peninsula
Dromana champion, middle order bat and gun fielder. Was a member of the Vics’ national title triumph in 2019.
Nathan Walsh (vc), Ferntree Gully
The star batter will go in at No. 4 and get the scoreboard ticking over for the Vics.
Cameron Wheeler, Ferntree Gully
Batting all-rounder and prolific wicket taker.
Cameron Williams, Warrnambool
Hard hitting batter and wicketkeeper.
Jack Wrigglesworth, Geelong
Son of former Victorian player and Bundalaguah legend Ian Wrigglesworth. Batter and “death’’ bowler with a lot of variations.
Coach: Peter Buchanan
Mornington star player and premiership coach in the MPCA, played in a premiership with St Kilda in 1985. Played in four carnivals for Vic Country XI, including a national title in 1992. Captained Frankston Peninsula’s 2nd XI to the club’s inaugural premiership and also coached the club. Has coached extensively at all levels, including the Vanuatu national team. Currently coach of Mentone Grammar, involved at Frankston and working at Rowville Secondary College with Darren Berry.
The Vic Country women’s squad:
Steph Townsend (Captain) (Warrnambool)
Top order bat, batting all-rounder. Really likes to get on with it and dominate. A stand-out leader. Legendary netball player and coach in the Warrnambool region.
Anna Habel (Hamilton)
Accomplished batter who brings an exciting dynamic in the field. Throws herself at the ball and provides energy. Her running, throwing and catching capacity is outstanding.
Tiegan Kavanagh (Warrnambool)
Opening bowler who generates good pace and also a good finisher in the batting order.
Madi Albers (Puckapunyal)
Opening bowler who bowls tightly, builds pressure. Took six wickets for Carlton in Premier Cricket recently.
Maddie Green (Geelong)
Middle order bat who can bowl.
Alyssa Humphries (Casterton)
Wicketkeeper and aggressive opening batter. A fine leader, too.
Eliza Jagger (Hamilton)
Another youngster who bowls well and is a gun fielder. Also the squad’s reserve wicketkeeper.
Emma Gallagher (Gippsland)
A former state captain who brings a wealth of experience. Terrific bowler, particularly in the middle overs and at the “death”.
Kate Shallard (Bendigo)
Versatile, experienced player who bowls both left-arm spin and pace and can bat at the top of the order as well. More likely to bat in the middle order and make sure the runs are ticking over.
Jordan Watson (Mornington Peninsula)
Top order bat who can bowl good pace. A hard worker who is also dynamic in the field.
Renee Cox (Geelong)
Leg spinner and middle order bat who also has leadership qualities.
Chelsea Moscript (Gippsland)
Ex-state captain, bowls leg spin, middle order bat. Very fast in the outfield and an integral part of the team.
Renee Moffitt (Ballarat)
Explosive top order batter with match winning traits.
Sarah Mannes (Bendigo)
Scored over 500 runs in the Bendigo league last season. Deserves her opportunity at this level. Will bat near the top.
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